What is the performance impact of using read-write locks?

What is the performance impact of using read-write locks in a multi-threaded application?

Read-write locks can improve performance by allowing multiple threads to read data simultaneously, but they can introduce overhead.

How do read-write locks compare to regular mutexes in terms of performance?

Read-write locks generally provide better performance for read-heavy workloads, while mutexes may be simpler and faster for write-heavy scenarios.

Are there any downsides to using read-write locks?

Yes, the main downsides include increased complexity and potential for writer starvation if there are many readers.

In what scenarios should I avoid using read-write locks?

Avoid using read-write locks in scenarios with frequent writes or when the overhead of managing the locks outweighs the benefits.