What are the differences between mutexes and semaphores?

What are the differences between mutexes and semaphores?

Mutexes and semaphores are both synchronization primitives used in concurrent programming, but they serve different purposes. A mutex (mutual exclusion) is used to ensure that only one thread can access a resource at a time, while a semaphore can allow multiple threads to access a resource up to a certain limit.

Can you explain how mutexes work in more detail?

Sure! A mutex locks a resource when a thread wants to access it. If another thread tries to lock the same mutex, it will be blocked until the first thread releases the mutex. This prevents race conditions.

What about semaphores? How do they differ in usage?

Semaphores maintain a count that represents the number of available resources. When a thread wants to access a resource, it decreases the count. If the count is zero, the thread will wait until a resource becomes available. This allows for more flexible resource management compared to mutexes.

Are there any scenarios where one is preferred over the other?

Yes, mutexes are preferred when you need strict control over resource access, while semaphores are better for managing a pool of resources where multiple threads can work concurrently.