How do I use mutex in C?

How do I use mutex in C?

To use a mutex in C, you need to include the pthread library. You can create a mutex using pthread_mutex_t.

Can you show me a simple example?

Sure! Here's a basic example:

#include <pthread.h>
#include <stdio.h>

pthread_mutex_t lock;

void* thread_function(void* arg) {
    pthread_mutex_lock(&lock);
    // Critical section
    printf("Thread %d is in the critical section.\n", *(int*)arg);
    pthread_mutex_unlock(&lock);
    return NULL;
}

int main() {
    pthread_t threads[2];
    int thread_ids[2] = {1, 2};
    pthread_mutex_init(&lock, NULL);

    for (int i = 0; i < 2; i++) {
        pthread_create(&threads[i], NULL, thread_function, &thread_ids[i]);
    }

    for (int i = 0; i < 2; i++) {
        pthread_join(threads[i], NULL);
    }

    pthread_mutex_destroy(&lock);
    return 0;
}

What does the pthread_mutex_lock function do?

pthread_mutex_lock locks the mutex, preventing other threads from entering the critical section until it's unlocked.

Are there any potential issues with using mutexes?

Yes, potential issues include deadlocks, where two or more threads are waiting on each other to release locks, and priority inversion.