How do I use the lock statement in C#?

How do I use the lock statement in C#?

The lock statement in C# is used to ensure that a block of code runs only by one thread at a time, preventing race conditions.

Can you show me a simple example of using lock?

Sure! Here's a basic example:

private static readonly object _lock = new object();

public void SafeMethod() {
    lock (_lock) {
        // Critical section code here
    }
}

What happens if I don't use lock in a multi-threaded environment?

Without lock, multiple threads can access shared resources simultaneously, leading to inconsistent data and unpredictable behavior.

Are there any alternatives to using lock?

Yes, alternatives include using Monitor, Mutex, or higher-level constructs like SemaphoreSlim or ReaderWriterLockSlim.