---Advertisement---

Java Synchronization: A Complete Guide for Multi-Threading-2025

By Shiva

Published On:

---Advertisement---

Java Synchronization:

📌 What is Synchronization in Java?

Synchronization in Java is a technique used to control the access of multiple threads to shared resources. It ensures that only one thread can access a critical section of code at a time, preventing thread interference and data inconsistency.

📌Why is Synchronization Important?

  • Prevents race conditions in multithreading.
  • Ensures data consistency in concurrent execution.
  • Helps in avoiding deadlocks when managing shared resources.

📌Types of Synchronization in Java:

1. Process Synchronization:

Process synchronization ensures that multiple processes do not execute critical sections simultaneously. Examples include system applications like Microsoft Word and Acrobat Reader running as independent processes.

2. Thread Synchronization:

Thread synchronization ensures that multiple threads do not access a shared resource concurrently. It can be categorized into:

  • Mutual Exclusion: Prevents simultaneous execution of critical sections.
  • Inter-Thread Communication: Allows threads to communicate with each other.

📌Lock Mechanism in Java:

Java uses an internal mechanism called a monitor (lock) for synchronization. When a thread enters a synchronized block, it acquires a lock on the object. This lock is released once the thread completes execution, ensuring exclusive access to the shared resource.

📌Implementing Synchronization in Java:

1. Using the Synchronized Method-

A method declared with the synchronized keyword ensures that only one thread can execute it at a time.

Example Code:

class MathService {
    synchronized void getSumOfArray(int[] numbers) {
        int sum = 0;
        for (int number : numbers) {
            System.out.println(Thread.currentThread().getName() + " adds " + sum + " to " + number + " to get -> " + (sum += number));
            try {
                Thread.sleep(500);
            } catch (InterruptedException e) {
                throw new RuntimeException(e);
            }
        }
    }
}

2. Using Synchronized Block:

If you need to synchronize only a specific portion of code instead of an entire method, you can use a synchronized block.

Example Code:

class MathService {
    void getSumOfArray(int[] numbers) {
        synchronized (this) {
            int sum = 0;
            for (int number : numbers) {
                System.out.println(Thread.currentThread().getName() + " adds " + sum + " to " + number + " to get -> " + (sum += number));
                try {
                    Thread.sleep(500);
                } catch (InterruptedException e) {
                    throw new RuntimeException(e);
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

3. Using Static Synchronization:

Static synchronization ensures that a shared resource is locked at the class level, preventing multiple objects from interfering with each other.

Example Code:

class MathService {
    synchronized static void getSumOfArray(int[] numbers) {
        int sum = 0;
        for (int number : numbers) {
            System.out.println(Thread.currentThread().getName() + " adds " + sum + " to " + number + " to get -> " + (sum += number));
            try {
                Thread.sleep(500);
            } catch (InterruptedException e) {
                throw new RuntimeException(e);
            }
        }
    }
}

📌Advantages of Java Synchronization:

  • Prevents Data Inconsistency: Ensures that shared resources are accessed by only one thread at a time.
  • Avoids Race Conditions: Eliminates the risk of multiple threads modifying data simultaneously.
  • Ensures Thread Safety: Synchronization helps in maintaining thread-safe operations in Java applications.

📌Disadvantages of Synchronization in Java:

  • Performance Overhead: Synchronization increases execution time as only one thread can access a resource at a time.
  • Thread Blocking: Threads must wait for their turn, leading to inefficiency in high-performance applications.

📌Summary:

  • Synchronization in Java controls thread access to shared resources.
  • Synchronized methods and blocks help prevent race conditions.
  • Static synchronization ensures thread safety at the class level.
  • Pros: Prevents data inconsistency and ensures thread safety.
  • Cons: May lead to performance overhead due to thread blocking.

📌Conclusion:

Understanding Java synchronization is crucial for developers working on multithreaded applications. It ensures data integrity, prevents deadlocks, and optimizes parallel execution for high-performance applications. By carefully implementing synchronization techniques, Java developers can build robust and scalable software solutions.

---Advertisement---

Leave a Comment