What are some examples of thread safety in programming?

What are some examples of thread safety in programming?

Thread safety ensures that shared data is accessed by multiple threads without conflict. Examples include using mutexes, semaphores, and atomic variables.

Can you explain how a mutex works?

A mutex, or mutual exclusion, is a synchronization primitive that prevents multiple threads from accessing a shared resource simultaneously. When a thread locks a mutex, other threads must wait until it is unlocked.

What are the downsides of using mutexes?

Mutexes can lead to performance bottlenecks and deadlocks if not managed properly. They can also increase complexity in code.

Are there alternatives to mutexes for thread safety?

Yes, alternatives include using read-write locks, condition variables, and lock-free data structures, which can improve performance in certain scenarios.