C / C++ / MFC

static CEvent ThreadTerminate;
...
<this is the main line code>
...
UINT ThreadFunction(LPVOID parameter)
{
    CSyncObject     *wait_list[] = { &ThreadTerminate };

    for ( ; ; ) {

        CMultiLock wait(wait_list,countof(wait_list));

        DWORD wait_object = wait.Lock(1000,FALSE);

        if      (wait_object == WAIT_OBJECT_0) {

            // in this case, the thread should exit
            break;

        }

        else if (wait_object == WAIT_TIMEOUT) {

            // in here, do whatever needs doing on
            // the basis of the timer

        }

    }

    return 0;
}

#define countof(array) (sizeof(array) / sizeof((array)[0]))

// using this to start the thread...

// START THE WORKER THREAD (USED AS A TIMER).
AfxBeginThread(ThreadFunction, theApp);

// WORKER THREAD USED AS A 30 SECOND TIMER.
// THE REASON FOR THIS IS SOME ENDPOINTS MAY NOT RESPOND TO THE HTTP STATUS
// PULL.. THEY MAY HANG.. KILL THE CONSOLE APP IF 30 SECONDS PASS..

UINT ThreadFunction(LPVOID lParam)
{
	// SYNC OBJECT
	CSyncObject* wait_list[] = { &ThreadTerminate };
	
	// LOOP UNTIL THE APP CLOSES OR THE TIMER FORCES THE APP TO CLOSE
	for(;;)
	{
		CMultiLock wait(wait_list, countof(wait_list));
		DWORD wait_object = wait.Lock(30000, FALSE);
		
		if( wait_object == WAIT_OBJECT_0)
			break;
		else if(wait_object == WAIT_TIMEOUT)
		{
			// JUST REACHED 30 SECONDS.
			printf("HTTP Service Timed Out..\n");
			ExitProcess(0);
		}
	}
	return 0;
}

HANDLE ThreadHandle = NULL;
// start the thread
CWinThread *thread = AfxBeginThread(ThreadFunction,parameter);
if (thread != NULL) {
    ThreadHandle = thread->m_hThread;
}
<br>
// here's the rest of your program
...
<br>
// exit stuff:
<br>
if (ThreadHandle != NULL) {
    ThreadTerminate.SetEvent();
    ::WaitForSingleObject(ThreadHandle);
}