What are some examples of ReentrantLock in multi-threading?

Can you explain what a ReentrantLock is in multi-threading?

A ReentrantLock is a synchronization aid that allows threads to lock and unlock resources in a reentrant manner, meaning a thread can acquire the lock multiple times without causing a deadlock.

What are some practical examples of using ReentrantLock?

One common example is in a banking application where multiple threads may need to update account balances. Using ReentrantLock ensures that only one thread can modify the balance at a time, preventing inconsistencies.

How does it differ from synchronized blocks?

ReentrantLock offers more flexibility than synchronized blocks, such as the ability to try to acquire the lock without blocking, and it provides better performance in highly contended scenarios.

Can you show me a code snippet using ReentrantLock?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

import java.util.concurrent.locks.ReentrantLock;

public class Counter {
    private int count = 0;
    private final ReentrantLock lock = new ReentrantLock();

    public void increment() {
        lock.lock();
        try {
            count++;
        } finally {
            lock.unlock();
        }
    }
}