When should I use synchronized vs volatile in Java?

Can you explain when to use synchronized versus volatile in Java?

Sure! Use synchronized when you need to control access to a block of code or method by multiple threads. It ensures that only one thread can execute that block at a time.

What about volatile? When should I use that?

Volatile is used for variables that may be changed by different threads. It ensures that the value is always read from the main memory, not from the thread's local cache.

So, synchronized is for methods and blocks, while volatile is for variables?

Exactly! Use synchronized for critical sections and volatile for variables that need visibility across threads without locking.

Are there performance implications for using synchronized?

Yes, synchronized can lead to thread contention and performance overhead. Volatile is lighter but doesn't provide atomicity.