What are the different types of synchronization primitives?

What are the different types of synchronization primitives?

Synchronization primitives are tools used in programming to manage access to shared resources. Common types include mutexes, semaphores, condition variables, and barriers.

Can you explain how mutexes work?

A mutex, or mutual exclusion, is a locking mechanism that ensures only one thread can access a resource at a time, preventing race conditions.

What about semaphores? How do they differ from mutexes?

Semaphores are signaling mechanisms that allow multiple threads to access a limited number of resources. Unlike mutexes, they can allow more than one thread to access the resource simultaneously.

Are there any performance considerations when using these primitives?

Yes, using synchronization primitives can introduce overhead. It's important to balance the need for safety with performance, as excessive locking can lead to contention and reduced throughput.