What is mutex and semaphore?
Mutex:
Mutex stands for mutual exclusion. Mutex is a mutual exclusion object that
allows multiple processes or threads, a synchronized access to shared resources.
A mutex is created with unique name in the program. It has two states; lock and
unlock. Only one thread (or process) can lock a mutex at one time, while the
other threads are blocked. When mutex is unlocked, then one of the blocked
thread locks it.
Semaphore:
Semaphore is an integer type protected variable through which the synchronization of
co-operating processes can be controlled. It can easily be implemented in
operating system. It provides general solution for controlling access to
critical section. The value of semaphore may be 0 or greater than 0
(nonnegative).
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