When should I use locks in concurrent programming?

When should I use locks in concurrent programming?

You should use locks when multiple threads or processes need to access shared resources to prevent data corruption.

Can you give me an example of a situation where locks are necessary?

Sure! If two threads are trying to update the same bank account balance simultaneously, using a lock ensures that only one thread can make the update at a time.

What are the downsides of using locks?

Locks can lead to issues like deadlocks, where two or more threads are waiting on each other to release locks, causing the program to hang.

Are there alternatives to using locks?

Yes, alternatives include using atomic operations, lock-free data structures, or higher-level abstractions like semaphores or monitors.