Operating System - Note on Synchronization

Definition:

Synchronization in operating systems refers to the coordination of processes so that they can operate correctly while sharing resources like memory, files, or CPU. It ensures consistency and correctness when multiple processes or threads access shared data.

Need for Synchronization:

  • Prevents race conditions (where two or more processes access and modify shared data at the same time).

  • Ensures data integrity.

  • Coordinates process execution order (e.g., one process must finish before another starts).

Types of Synchronization:

  1. Process Synchronization:
    Ensures orderly execution among multiple processes (e.g., producer-consumer problem).

  2. Thread Synchronization:
    Manages concurrent threads within the same process to avoid data corruption.

Mechanisms for Synchronization:

Mechanism Description
Mutex (Mutual Exclusion) Allows only one process/thread to access critical section at a time.
Semaphore Integer variable used to signal and control access to shared resources.
Monitors High-level synchronization construct for managing access to shared data.
Spinlocks Busy-waiting locks used in low-level programming for mutual exclusion.