Thread Specific Data vs Thread Local Storage

Question

I\'ve read Kerrisk\'s The Linux Programming Interface: A Linux and UNIX System Programming Handbook, Chapter 31 on Threads. The chapter include Thread Specific Data (Section

Answer 1

The pthread interfaces are POSIX standard, so they are more portable. Use them if you intend to use the code on something besides a linux system. On the other hand, if you are strictly on gcc/linux, then the __thread mechanism is certainly easier to use. Just be aware that it is a gcc specific extension, and not supported on all platforms.