What are mutexes in Python and how do I use them?

What are mutexes in Python and how do I use them?

Mutexes, or mutual exclusions, are used in Python to prevent multiple threads from accessing shared resources simultaneously. You can use the threading module to create 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_function():
    with mutex:
        # Critical section of code
        print('Thread is accessing shared resource')

thread = threading.Thread(target=thread_function)
thread.start()
thread.join()

What happens if I don't use a mutex?

If you don't use a mutex, multiple threads may access the shared resource at the same time, leading to race conditions and unpredictable behavior.

Are there any alternatives to mutexes in Python?

Yes, alternatives include using RLock, Semaphore, or higher-level constructs like Queue for thread-safe operations.