What are the differences between a mutex and a semaphore?

What are the differences between a mutex and a semaphore?

A mutex is a locking mechanism that allows only one thread to access a resource at a time, while a semaphore can allow multiple threads to access a resource, up to a specified limit.

Can you explain how they work in a multithreading context?

Sure! A mutex ensures exclusive access to a resource by locking it, while a semaphore maintains a count of available resources, allowing multiple threads to access them concurrently.

When should I use a mutex instead of a semaphore?

Use a mutex when you need to protect a single resource from concurrent access. Use a semaphore when you want to control access to a pool of resources.

Are there any performance differences between them?

Yes, mutexes can be faster for single resource access due to their simplicity, while semaphores can introduce overhead due to their counting mechanism.