ThreadFactory usage in Java

Question

Can someone briefly explain on HOW and WHEN to use a ThreadFactory? An example with and without using ThreadFactory might be really helpful to understand the differences.

Answer 1

IMHO the single most important function of a ThreadFactory is naming threads something useful. Having threads in a stacktrace named pool-1-thread-2 or worse Thread-12 is a complete pain when diagnosing problems.

Of course, having a ThreadGroup, daemon status and priority are all useful too.