What are some examples of semaphore usage in multithreading?

Can you explain what a semaphore is in the context of multithreading?

A semaphore is a synchronization primitive that controls access to a common resource in a concurrent system.

How does a semaphore differ from a mutex?

While both are used for synchronization, a mutex allows only one thread to access a resource, whereas a semaphore can allow multiple threads.

Can you give me a practical example of using a semaphore?

Sure! Imagine a scenario where you have a pool of database connections. A semaphore can limit the number of concurrent connections to the database.

What happens if a thread tries to acquire a semaphore that is already at its limit?

The thread will be blocked until another thread releases the semaphore, allowing it to proceed.