How can I avoid race conditions in multithreading?

What are race conditions in multithreading?

Race conditions occur when multiple threads access shared data and try to change it at the same time, leading to unpredictable results.

How can I prevent race conditions in my code?

You can prevent race conditions by using synchronization techniques like mutexes, semaphores, or locks to control access to shared resources.

Can you explain how a mutex works?

A mutex, or mutual exclusion, is a locking mechanism that ensures only one thread can access a resource at a time, preventing race conditions.

Are there any downsides to using mutexes?

Yes, using mutexes can lead to issues like deadlocks if not managed properly, and they can also reduce performance due to thread contention.