What is the difference between semaphores and mutexes?

Can you explain the difference between semaphores and mutexes?

Sure! Both semaphores and mutexes are synchronization primitives used in concurrent programming, but they serve different purposes.

What are the main differences in their functionality?

Mutexes are used to ensure that only one thread can access a resource at a time, while semaphores can allow multiple threads to access a resource up to a certain limit.

Can you give an example of when to use each?

Use a mutex when you need exclusive access to a resource, like a file. Use a semaphore when you want to limit access to a resource, like a pool of database connections.

Are there any performance implications to consider?

Yes, mutexes can lead to contention if many threads are trying to access the same resource, while semaphores can be more efficient in managing access to shared resources.