What are the differences between semaphores and mutexes in C#?

Can you explain the differences between semaphores and mutexes in C#?

Sure! Semaphores and mutexes are both synchronization primitives used in C# to manage access to shared resources, but they serve different purposes.

What is the main purpose of a semaphore?

A semaphore is used to control access to a resource that can be shared by multiple threads. It allows a specified number of threads to access the resource concurrently.

And how does a mutex differ from a semaphore?

A mutex, or mutual exclusion, allows only one thread to access a resource at a time. It is stricter than a semaphore, which can allow multiple threads based on its count.

Can you give an example of when to use each?

Certainly! Use a mutex when you need exclusive access to a resource, like writing to a file. Use a semaphore when you want to limit access to a resource, like a connection pool.