When to Use synchronized vs. Lock in Java Concurrency?

Comparing Synchronization and Lock Mechanisms

In Java's concurrency framework, synchronization can be achieved through either the synchronized keyword or the Lock interface. Both mechanisms provide control over access to critical resources, but they differ in their implementation and advantages.

Using synchronized, code within a synchronized block executes atomically, ensuring exclusive access to a shared object. This is a simple and intuitive approach that can be employed for basic synchronization needs.

On the other hand, the Lock interface offers enhanced functionality. Its park() and unpark() methods allow you to manage the suspension and resumption of threads waiting for a lock. This fine-grained control is suitable for more complex synchronization scenarios.

Which Mechanism to Choose?

In practice, the choice between synchronized and Lock depends on your specific requirements.

• For simple synchronization: synchronized is preferred. It provides a clear and concise way to ensure thread-safe access to resources and simplifies exception handling.
• For complex synchronization: Lock may be a better choice when you need advanced features like managing thread suspension and implementing custom locking strategies.
• Avoid using wait() and notify(): These methods have limitations and are not as convenient as synchronized or Lock.

In general, for simple locking scenarios, synchronized is easier to use and more reliable. If you require more advanced control over synchronization, consider using the Lock interface. However, for complex concurrency tasks, tailored concurrency mechanisms like CyclicBarrier or LinkedBlockingQueue may provide more suitable solutions.

The above is the detailed content of When to Use synchronized vs. Lock in Java Concurrency?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!