The life cycle of a thread in Java refers to the different states a thread can be in during its execution. There are six thread states in Java:

1. 1. New State: When a thread is created using the new keyword or by extending the Thread class, it is in the new state. In this state, the thread has not yet started executing.

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3. 2. Runnable State: When a thread's start() method is called, it enters the runnable state. In this state, the thread is ready to run, but the operating system has not yet selected it to run. The thread may be waiting for a resource, such as CPU time or a lock on a shared resource.

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5. 3. Blocked State: When a thread is waiting for a lock on a shared resource that is held by another thread, it enters the blocked state. In this state, the thread is not eligible to run and is waiting for the lock to be released.

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7. 4. Waiting State: When a thread is waiting for a certain condition to be met, it enters the waiting state. The wait() method can be used to put a thread in this state. The thread will remain in the waiting state until it is notified by another thread using the notify() or notifyAll() method.

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9. 5. Timed Waiting State: When a thread is waiting for a certain amount of time, it enters the timed waiting state. The sleep() and join() methods can be used to put a thread in this state. The thread will remain in the timed waiting state until the specified time has elapsed or the condition has been met.

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11. 6. Terminated State: When a thread completes its execution or is terminated for some reason, it enters the terminated state. A thread can enter the terminated state in two ways: by returning from its run() method or by throwing an uncaught exception.

• Here is a visual representation of the thread life cycle:

           ┌─────────────┐
           │    NEW      │
           └─────────────┘
                  │
                  ▼
           ┌─────────────┐
           │  RUNNABLE   │
           └─────────────┘
                  │
                  ▼
           ┌─────────────┐
           │   BLOCKED   │
           └─────────────┘
                  │
                  ▼
           ┌─────────────┐
           │   WAITING   │
           └─────────────┘
                  │
                  ▼
           ┌─────────────┐
           │TIMED WAITING│
           └─────────────┘
                  │
                  ▼
           ┌─────────────┐
           │ TERMINATED  │
           └─────────────┘

  
  

  It's important to note that the transition from one state to another is managed by the Java Virtual Machine and the operating system. The programmer can control the thread's behavior by calling methods like start(), sleep(), wait(), etc., but the actual scheduling of threads is done by the operating system.