How can I implement a mutex in Python?

How can I implement a mutex in Python?

You can use the threading module in Python, which provides a Lock class to implement a mutex.

Can you show me a simple example of using a mutex?

Sure! Here's a basic example:

import threading

mutex = threading.Lock()

def thread_safe_function():
    with mutex:
        # critical section of code
        print('Mutex is locked')
        # perform thread-safe operations

thread1 = threading.Thread(target=thread_safe_function)
thread2 = threading.Thread(target=thread_safe_function)

thread1.start()
thread2.start()
thread1.join()
thread2.join()

What happens if I forget to release the mutex?

If you forget to release the mutex, it can lead to a deadlock situation where other threads are blocked indefinitely, waiting for the mutex to be released.

Are there any alternatives to using mutexes in Python?

Yes, you can also use RLock for reentrant locks or higher-level constructs like Queue for thread-safe communication between threads.