What are the differences between mutex and thread-local storage?

What are the differences between mutex and thread-local storage?

Mutex is a synchronization primitive used to manage access to shared resources, while thread-local storage allows each thread to have its own instance of a variable.

Can you explain how mutex works in a multi-threaded environment?

Sure! A mutex allows only one thread to access a resource at a time, preventing race conditions by locking the resource until the thread is done.

What are the advantages of using thread-local storage?

Thread-local storage provides each thread with its own copy of a variable, which can improve performance and avoid data corruption from concurrent access.

Are there any downsides to using mutexes?

Yes, using mutexes can lead to issues like deadlocks if not managed properly, and they can introduce overhead due to locking and unlocking.