What are pthreads read-write locks and how do they work?

What are pthreads read-write locks and how do they work?

Pthreads read-write locks allow multiple threads to read shared data simultaneously while ensuring exclusive access for writing.

Can you explain the difference between read locks and write locks?

Sure! A read lock allows multiple threads to read the data, while a write lock ensures that only one thread can write, blocking others.

When should I use read-write locks instead of mutexes?

Use read-write locks when you have more reads than writes, as they improve performance by allowing concurrent reads.

Are there any drawbacks to using read-write locks?

Yes, they can introduce complexity and potential for deadlocks if not managed properly, especially in high-contention scenarios.

Can you provide a code example of using pthreads read-write locks?

Certainly! Here's a simple example in C that demonstrates how to initialize and use read-write locks with pthreads.