What is the purpose of the synchronized keyword in Java?

What is the purpose of the synchronized keyword in Java?

The synchronized keyword in Java is used to control access to a block of code or an object by multiple threads, ensuring that only one thread can access the synchronized block at a time.

Can you give me an example of how to use synchronized in a method?

Sure! You can declare a method as synchronized by adding the keyword before the method declaration. For example:

public synchronized void myMethod() {
    // method code here
}

What happens if a thread tries to access a synchronized method while another thread is executing it?

If a thread tries to access a synchronized method while another thread is executing it, the second thread will be blocked until the first thread completes its execution of that method.

Are there any alternatives to using synchronized in Java?

Yes, alternatives include using the java.util.concurrent package, which provides higher-level concurrency utilities like ReentrantLock and Semaphore.