What are the differences between locks and queues in Python?

What are the differences between locks and queues in Python?

Locks are synchronization primitives used to prevent multiple threads from accessing shared resources simultaneously, while queues are data structures that allow for safe communication between threads, enabling them to send and receive messages.

Can you give me an example of how to use a lock?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

import threading

lock = threading.Lock()

def thread_safe_function():
    with lock:
        # critical section of code
        print('Lock acquired!')

This ensures that only one thread can execute the code inside the with block at a time.

What about using a queue?

Using a queue is straightforward. Here's an example:

import queue

q = queue.Queue()

# Producer thread
def producer():
    q.put('item')

# Consumer thread
def consumer():
    item = q.get()
    print(f'Consumed: {item}')

This allows threads to safely add and remove items from the queue.

When should I use a lock instead of a queue?

Use locks when you need to protect shared resources from concurrent access. Use queues when you need to pass messages or data between threads safely.