When should I use recursive locks?

What are recursive locks and when should I use them?

Recursive locks, or reentrant locks, allow the same thread to acquire the lock multiple times without deadlocking. They're useful when a thread needs to lock a resource that it already holds.

Can you give me an example of when a recursive lock would be necessary?

Sure! If a function that acquires a lock calls itself (recursion), a recursive lock prevents deadlock by allowing the same thread to re-enter the lock.

Are there any downsides to using recursive locks?

Yes, recursive locks can lead to increased complexity and potential performance issues. They should be used judiciously.

How do recursive locks differ from regular locks?

Regular locks prevent a thread from re-acquiring the lock, which can lead to deadlocks in recursive scenarios. Recursive locks allow re-acquisition by the same thread.