What are the common mistakes when using mutexes and spinlocks?

What are the common mistakes when using mutexes and spinlocks?

Some common mistakes include using spinlocks in situations where mutexes are more appropriate, leading to performance issues.

Can you explain why using spinlocks can be problematic?

Spinlocks can waste CPU cycles if the lock is held for a long time, as they keep checking the lock instead of yielding.

What about deadlocks? How can they occur with these synchronization mechanisms?

Deadlocks can occur if multiple threads hold locks and wait for each other to release them, creating a cycle of dependencies.

Are there best practices to avoid these mistakes?

Yes, always analyze the locking strategy, prefer mutexes for longer waits, and use timeout mechanisms to prevent deadlocks.