How can I use shared memory in Python multiprocessing?

How can I use shared memory in Python multiprocessing?

You can use the multiprocessing.shared_memory module to create shared memory blocks that can be accessed by multiple processes.

Can you show me a simple example of how to implement this?

Sure! Here's a basic example:

from multiprocessing import shared_memory
import numpy as np

# Create a shared memory block
shm = shared_memory.SharedMemory(create=True, size=10)

# Create a NumPy array using the shared memory
array = np.ndarray((10,), dtype=np.int64, buffer=shm.buf)

# Modify the array
array[0] = 42

# Access the shared memory in another process
# Don't forget to clean up the shared memory after use!

What happens if I forget to clean up the shared memory?

If you forget to clean up, the shared memory block will remain allocated until the program exits, which can lead to memory leaks.

Are there any limitations to using shared memory?

Yes, shared memory is limited by the system's memory and can only be used for data types that can be serialized.