What are some alternatives to mutex for thread synchronization?

What are some alternatives to mutex for thread synchronization?

There are several alternatives to mutex for thread synchronization, such as semaphores, condition variables, and read-write locks. Each has its own use cases and advantages.

Can you explain how semaphores work?

Sure! Semaphores are signaling mechanisms that control access to a shared resource by multiple threads. They maintain a count that represents the number of available resources.

What about condition variables? How do they differ from mutexes?

Condition variables allow threads to wait for certain conditions to be true before proceeding. Unlike mutexes, they are used in conjunction with mutexes to avoid busy waiting.

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

Read-write locks are beneficial when you have multiple threads that need to read shared data frequently but only occasionally write to it. They allow concurrent reads while ensuring exclusive access for writes.