When should I use semaphores or monitors in programming?

What are semaphores and monitors in programming?

Semaphores and monitors are synchronization primitives used to control access to shared resources in concurrent programming.

When should I use semaphores instead of monitors?

Use semaphores when you need to manage access to a limited number of resources, while monitors are better for managing access to a single resource.

Can you give me an example of when to use each?

Sure! Use a semaphore for a connection pool where multiple threads can use a limited number of connections. Use a monitor for a shared data structure that needs to be accessed by one thread at a time.

What are the advantages of using monitors over semaphores?

Monitors provide a higher-level abstraction, making it easier to avoid common concurrency issues like deadlocks and race conditions.