What are the best practices for using the synchronized keyword in Java?

What are the best practices for using the synchronized keyword in Java?

When using the synchronized keyword in Java, it's important to minimize the scope of synchronization to avoid performance bottlenecks.

Can you explain why minimizing the scope is important?

Minimizing the scope reduces contention among threads, allowing for better concurrency and overall application performance.

Are there alternatives to using synchronized?

Yes, alternatives include using ReentrantLock, ReadWriteLock, or other concurrency utilities from the java.util.concurrent package.

What are the risks of using synchronized incorrectly?

Incorrect use can lead to deadlocks, reduced performance, and difficulty in maintaining the code.