Mutex

A mutex (short for mutual exclusion) is a synchronization primitive used in concurrent programming to prevent multiple threads or processes from simultaneously accessing a shared resource, such as data or a critical section of code. It ensures that only one thread can hold the lock at any given time, thereby avoiding race conditions and maintaining data integrity. Mutexes are fundamental in multi-threaded and distributed systems to coordinate access and ensure safe operations.

Also known as: mutual exclusion, lock, critical section lock, binary semaphore, mutex lock

Why learn Mutex?

Developers should learn and use mutexes when building applications that involve concurrent execution, such as multi-threaded programs, server applications handling multiple requests, or systems with shared resources in distributed environments. They are essential for preventing data corruption and ensuring thread safety in scenarios like database transactions, file I/O operations, or real-time data processing where simultaneous access could lead to inconsistent states or errors.

Learning Resources

• docs: Mutex (Computer Science) - Wikipedia
• tutorial: Mutex Tutorial and Example in C++
• tutorial: Concurrency in Go: Mutexes Explained
• docs: Java Concurrency: Understanding Mutexes and Locks
• tutorial: Mutexes in Python Threading - Real Python