What are the best practices for thread safety?

What are the best practices for thread safety in programming?

Thread safety ensures that shared data is accessed by multiple threads without conflict. Key practices include using locks, avoiding shared mutable state, and employing thread-safe data structures.

Can you explain how locks work in thread safety?

Locks are mechanisms that prevent multiple threads from accessing shared resources simultaneously. When a thread acquires a lock, other threads must wait until it's released.

What are some common pitfalls to avoid?

Common pitfalls include deadlocks, race conditions, and overusing locks, which can lead to performance issues. It's crucial to design your threading model carefully.

Are there any specific libraries or tools you recommend?

Yes, libraries like Java's java.util.concurrent, C++'s std::thread, and Python's threading module provide robust tools for managing thread safety.