Python provides two major approaches for concurrent and parallel programming: asyncio and thread pools. Both allow your program to execute multiple flows of execution simultaneously, but they work quite differently under the hood.
Choosing the right concurrency tool for your Python application can have significant impacts on performance, scalability, and overall code complexity. This guide explains the key differences and helps you decide when to use asyncio versus thread pools.
Async IO Overview
Async IO refers to input/output operations that can execute concurrently within a single thread. With asyncio, you write code as a series of coroutines - functions that voluntarily yield control when idle.
Behind the scenes, asyncio multiplexes and interleaves the execution of coroutines to utilize IO wait time and maximize CPU utilization. It relies on an event loop to schedule coroutine execution.
Key advantages of asyncio:
Thread Pools Overview
Thread pools allow you to spin up a pool of OS threads and distribute work across them. Each thread executes a standard Python function, running truly concurrently.
The Python
Key advantages of thread pools:
Bottom Line
Use asyncio for IO-bound programs with lots of waiting around. The single-threaded, cooperative nature makes it shine for network and web apps.
Use thread pools for CPU-bound data processing and mathematical computations that release the GIL. Each thread runs truly concurrently.
Combining async IO and thread pools is also a powerful approach when you have a mix of IO waiting and parallel CPU work.