23.4.1. The synchronized Keyword

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is the purpose of the synchronized keyword in Java?

   Hint

   Think about thread safety.

2. 2.

   Can multiple threads access a synchronized method at the same time?

   Hint

   Remember the concept of mutual exclusion.

3. 3.

   What does the synchronized keyword ensure in a Java application?

   • Only one thread can access shared data
   • All threads can access shared data simultaneously
   • It makes an application single-threaded

   Hint

   Think about what synchronization implies.

4. 4.

   True or False: A synchronized block prevents the thread from seeing changes made by other threads.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Consider the purpose of synchronization.

5. 5.

   Design a multi-threaded application that modifies a shared counter while ensuring thread safety. Explain how you would use synchronized effectively.

   Hint

   Consider how threads interact when they try to access shared variables.

6. 6.

   Analyze a piece of code using synchronized; identify potential bottlenecks and suggest optimizations.

   Hint

   Look for sections of the code that could lead to multiple threads waiting for the lock.