What are the performance differences between mutex types?

What are the performance differences between mutex types?

Mutex types can vary significantly in performance. For example, spinlocks are faster for short critical sections, while traditional mutexes are better for longer waits.

Can you explain when to use a spinlock versus a traditional mutex?

Use spinlocks when you expect the lock to be held for a very short time, as they avoid the overhead of putting a thread to sleep. Traditional mutexes are better for longer waits.

What about reader-writer locks? How do they compare?

Reader-writer locks allow multiple readers or one writer, improving performance in read-heavy scenarios. However, they can introduce complexity and potential for writer starvation.

Are there any downsides to using reader-writer locks?

Yes, they can lead to increased contention and complexity in managing access, especially if not implemented carefully.