What are the best practices for using mutex in programming?

What are the best practices for using mutex in programming?

When using mutex, it's important to lock it as briefly as possible to avoid contention. Always unlock it in the same scope.

Can you explain why minimizing lock duration is important?

Minimizing lock duration reduces the time other threads have to wait, improving overall performance and responsiveness.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when using mutex?

Common mistakes include forgetting to unlock a mutex, causing deadlocks, and using too many locks, which can lead to complexity.

Are there alternatives to using mutex for thread safety?

Yes, alternatives include using read-write locks, atomic operations, or higher-level abstractions like concurrent data structures.