What are read-write locks?

Can you explain what read-write locks are?

Sure! Read-write locks are synchronization mechanisms that allow concurrent access to a resource. They differentiate between read and write operations.

How do they work in practice?

In practice, multiple threads can read the resource simultaneously, but only one thread can write to it at a time. This improves performance in scenarios with many reads and few writes.

What are the advantages of using read-write locks?

The main advantages include increased concurrency and reduced contention, which can lead to better performance in multi-threaded applications.

Are there any downsides to using them?

Yes, potential downsides include complexity in implementation and the risk of deadlocks if not managed properly.