Laraib Jamal 21B-091-Cs

Synchronization
Advantages Disadvantages Use Case
Mechanism
Useful for protecting critical
Simple to implement, Can lead to deadlocks if not
sections where only one
prevents multiple threads released properly; does not
Lock from accessing a shared allow re-entrant locking (single
thread should access a
resource at a time (e.g.,
resource at the same time. lock per thread only).
updating a shared counter).
Allows a thread to acquire Ideal for use cases involving
the same lock multiple Slightly slower than regular recursive or nested function
RLock
times, preventing deadlocks locks due to the additional re- calls where a thread needs to
(Reentrant Lock) in recursive functions or entrancy tracking. re-acquire the lock it already
nested method calls. holds.
Controls access to a set Suitable for managing limited
Can lead to resource starvation
number of resources, resources such as database
if semaphore count is too low
Semaphore allowing multiple threads to
or if some threads are blocked
connections or network
access a limited pool of sockets in a controlled
indefinitely.
resources simultaneously. manner.
Provides fine-grained
Ideal for producer-consumer
control, enabling threads to Complex to manage; requires
problems, where threads
wait for specific conditions careful use of notify() and
Condition before proceeding, useful wait() to avoid deadlocks or
need to wait for specific
conditions to be met (e.g.,
for coordination among missed signals.
waiting for data availability).
threads.
Provides a simple Suitable when a single event
Potential for deadlock or
mechanism to signal one or needs to signal multiple
indefinite waiting if the event is
Event more threads to proceed
never set; needs careful reset
threads to start working (e.g.,
once a specific event waiting for a setup phase to
and state management.
occurs. complete).
Synchronizes multiple
Not flexible for dynamic Useful in parallel computing
threads, ensuring all reach a
threading; requires all threads when all threads need to wait
specific checkpoint before
Barrier any continue; simplifies
to arrive at the barrier, which at a checkpoint (e.g.,
can cause issues if threads coordinating at stages of data
stage-based parallel
finish at different rates. processing).
processing.
Thread Synchronization Methods