What are the different synchronization methods in pthreads?

What are the different synchronization methods in pthreads?

In pthreads, common synchronization methods include mutexes, condition variables, and read-write locks. Would you like to know more about any specific method?

Can you explain how mutexes work?

Mutexes, or mutual exclusions, are used to protect shared data from being accessed by multiple threads simultaneously. They ensure that only one thread can access the critical section of code at a time.

What about condition variables?

Condition variables allow threads to wait for certain conditions to be true before continuing execution. They are often used in conjunction with mutexes to avoid busy waiting.

How do read-write locks differ from mutexes?

Read-write locks allow multiple threads to read shared data simultaneously but give exclusive access to one thread for writing. This improves performance in scenarios with many reads and few writes.