How do I implement reader-writer queues in Java?

How do I implement reader-writer queues in Java?

To implement reader-writer queues in Java, you can use the ReentrantReadWriteLock class. This allows multiple readers to access the resource simultaneously while ensuring that writers have exclusive access.

Can you provide a code example?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

import java.util.concurrent.locks.ReentrantReadWriteLock;

public class ReaderWriterQueue {
    private final ReentrantReadWriteLock lock = new ReentrantReadWriteLock();
    private int data;

    public void read() {
        lock.readLock().lock();
        try {
            System.out.println("Reading data: " + data);
        } finally {
            lock.readLock().unlock();
        }
    }

    public void write(int newData) {
        lock.writeLock().lock();
        try {
            data = newData;
            System.out.println("Writing data: " + newData);
        } finally {
            lock.writeLock().unlock();
        }
    }
}

What are the advantages of using reader-writer queues?

The main advantages include improved performance for read-heavy applications, as multiple readers can access the data simultaneously without blocking each other.

Are there any drawbacks I should be aware of?

Yes, one drawback is that if there are many writers, they can starve the readers, leading to potential delays in read operations.