What is thread synchronization in Python and why is it important?

What is thread synchronization in Python and why is it important?

Thread synchronization in Python is a mechanism to control the access of multiple threads to shared resources. It's important to prevent data corruption and ensure consistency.

Can you explain some common methods for achieving thread synchronization?

Sure! Common methods include using locks, semaphores, and condition variables. Each has its own use cases and benefits.

How do I implement a lock in Python?

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

import threading

lock = threading.Lock()

def thread_function():
    with lock:
        # critical section of code
        pass

What are the potential issues if I don't use synchronization?

Without synchronization, you may encounter race conditions, where the outcome depends on the sequence of thread execution, leading to unpredictable behavior.