What is the difference between synchronized and lock in Java?

What is the difference between synchronized and lock in Java?

In Java, 'synchronized' is a keyword that allows only one thread to access a block of code or method at a time, while 'Lock' is an interface that provides more flexible thread synchronization.

Can you explain how synchronized works?

Sure! When a method is declared as synchronized, the thread holds the monitor for that object, preventing other threads from entering any synchronized methods on the same object until the first thread releases the lock.

What are the advantages of using Lock over synchronized?

Using Lock provides more control, such as the ability to interrupt a thread waiting for a lock, try to acquire a lock without blocking, and implement fair locking.

Are there any performance differences between them?

Yes, Locks can be more performant in scenarios with high contention, as they allow for more sophisticated locking strategies compared to synchronized.