What are the differences between locks and concurrent collections?

What are the differences between locks and concurrent collections?

Locks are synchronization mechanisms that control access to shared resources, while concurrent collections are data structures designed for concurrent access without explicit locking.

Can you give me an example of when to use each?

Use locks when you need fine-grained control over access to a resource, like updating a shared variable. Use concurrent collections when you want to simplify code and improve performance by allowing multiple threads to access the collection safely.

What are some common types of locks?

Common types of locks include mutexes, read-write locks, and spinlocks. Each has its own use cases depending on the required access patterns.

Are concurrent collections always better than using locks?

Not necessarily. Concurrent collections can simplify code and improve performance, but locks may be more appropriate for complex scenarios requiring precise control.