What are some real-world examples of thread safety issues?

What are some real-world examples of thread safety issues?

Thread safety issues occur when multiple threads access shared data concurrently, leading to unpredictable results. A classic example is a bank account system where two threads try to update the balance simultaneously, potentially causing incorrect balances.

Can you give me another example?

Sure! Consider a web application where multiple users can update their profiles at the same time. If the application doesn't handle concurrent updates properly, one user's changes might overwrite another's.

What are the consequences of these issues?

The consequences can range from incorrect data and application crashes to security vulnerabilities. In critical systems, this can lead to significant financial losses or data breaches.

How can developers prevent thread safety issues?

Developers can use synchronization mechanisms like locks, semaphores, or concurrent data structures to ensure that only one thread can access shared resources at a time.