What is the role of a barrier in multi-threading?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the function of a barrier in multi-threading, and it presents multiple choice options related to thread management. A barrier in multi-threading is primarily used to ensure that all threads reach a certain point in execution before any of them can proceed further.
Answer
A barrier synchronizes threads, making them wait until all reach a certain point.
A barrier in multi-threading is a synchronization method that makes threads wait until each one reaches a certain execution point. They must all hit this 'barrier' before any can continue, ensuring coordinated progress and can be easier than using multiple conditions and mutexes.
Answer for screen readers
A barrier in multi-threading is a synchronization method that makes threads wait until each one reaches a certain execution point. They must all hit this 'barrier' before any can continue, ensuring coordinated progress and can be easier than using multiple conditions and mutexes.
More Information
Barriers are useful in situations where it is necessary to ensure that all the threads reach a certain point before allowing any to proceed, making them crucial in parallel computing where task completion needs to be synchronized.
Sources
- Barrier (computer science) - Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.org
- Using Barrier Synchronization (Multithreaded Programming Guide) - docs.oracle.com
- Barrier Synchronization in Threads | by Jay Desai - Medium - medium.com
