What are semaphores in Python?

What are semaphores in Python?

Semaphores are synchronization primitives that control access to a shared resource in concurrent programming.

How do I implement a semaphore in Python?

You can use the threading module. Here's a simple example:

import threading

semaphore = threading.Semaphore(2)  # Allow 2 threads to access the resource

def access_resource():
    with semaphore:
        print('Accessing resource')
        # Simulate some work
        time.sleep(1)

What is the difference between a semaphore and a mutex?

A mutex allows only one thread to access a resource at a time, while a semaphore can allow multiple threads based on its count.

Can you give me a real-world example of using semaphores?

Sure! A common example is managing access to a pool of database connections, where a semaphore limits the number of concurrent connections.