How do different programming languages handle synchronization?

How do different programming languages handle synchronization?

Different programming languages have various mechanisms for synchronization, such as mutexes, semaphores, and monitors. For example, Java uses synchronized methods and blocks, while Python has threading locks.

Can you explain what a mutex is?

A mutex, or mutual exclusion, is a synchronization primitive that prevents multiple threads from accessing a shared resource simultaneously. It ensures that only one thread can access the resource at a time.

What about semaphores? How do they differ from mutexes?

Semaphores are similar to mutexes but allow a specified number of threads to access a resource concurrently. Unlike mutexes, which are binary, semaphores can have a count greater than one.

Which programming languages have built-in support for these synchronization methods?

Languages like Java, C++, and C# have built-in support for mutexes and semaphores. Python also provides threading and multiprocessing modules for synchronization.