Mutex vs Spinlock: Which is Better?

What are the main differences between mutexes and spinlocks?

Mutexes are blocking synchronization primitives, while spinlocks are non-blocking and busy-wait until they acquire the lock.

When should I use a mutex instead of a spinlock?

Use a mutex when you expect threads to be blocked for a longer time, as it saves CPU cycles compared to spinlocks.

Are there any performance trade-offs I should be aware of?

Yes, spinlocks can be faster for short critical sections, but they can lead to CPU wastage if held for longer periods.

Can you give an example of when to use each?

Sure! Use a mutex for file access where threads may wait, and a spinlock for short, frequent updates in a tight loop.