Here is a simple thread pattern that I use when writing a class that needs just one thread, and needs to a specific task.

The usual requirements for such a class are that it should be startable, stopable and restartable. Does anyone see any issues with this pattern that I use?

public class MyThread implements Runnable {
    private boolean _exit = false;
    private Thread _thread = null;

    public void start () {
        if (_thread == null) {
            _thread = new Thread(this, "MyThread");
            _thread.start();
        }
    }

    public void run () {
        while (_exit) {
            //do something
        }
    }

    public void stop () {
        _exit = true;

        if (_thread != null) {
            _thread.interrupt();
            _thread = null;
        }
    }
}

I am looking for comments around if I am missing something, or if there is a better way to write this.