Introduction: Basic concepts and problems of locks
In multithreading programming, in order to ensure that multiple threads do not conflict when accessing shared resources, we usually need to use locks to synchronize access to resources. Java provides different lock mechanisms, among which ReentrantLock is the most commonly used and powerful lock, which belongs to the package and provides more flexible lock control than synchronized.
Although ReentrantLock provides many advantages, improper use of locks can lead to deadlocks, performance degradation, or unmaintainable code. This article will explore in-depth how to use ReentrantLock gracefully, avoid common pitfalls, and improve code maintainability.
1. The basic concept of ReentrantLock
Before discussing how to use ReentrantLock elegantly, let’s quickly review its basic concepts.
ReentrantLock is an explicit lock provided by Java, which provides greater flexibility than synchronized. ReentrantLock offers the following advantages over synchronized locks:
- Reentrability: A thread can obtain the same lock multiple times without being blocked.
-
Interruptible lock request:use
lockInterruptibly
Methods can make the thread respond to interrupts while waiting for the lock. - Fairness: You can choose fair lock (FIFO queue) or non-fair lock to avoid thread hunger.
-
Manual unlock:pass
unlock
Methods to release the lock can accurately control the release timing of the lock.
2. Basic mode of using ReentrantLock
Let's see how to use itReentrantLock
Lock and unlock.
import ; public class ReentrantLockExample { private static final ReentrantLock lock = new ReentrantLock(); public static void main(String[] args) { Runnable task = () -> { (); // Get the lock try { // Execute critical area code (().getName() + " is processing the task."); } finally { (); // Make sure to unlock } }; Thread thread1 = new Thread(task); Thread thread2 = new Thread(task); (); (); } }
How to understand:
-
()
Will try to acquire the lock. If the lock is already held by another thread, the current thread will be blocked. -
unlock()
Used to release the lock, it must be placedfinally
In the block, ensure that the release of the lock can be executed even in the event of an exception.
3. How to handle the locking and unlocking of ReentrantLock gracefully?
AlthoughReentrantLock
Provides flexibility, but incorrect usage methods can lead to problems such as deadlocks and resource leakage. To avoid these problems, we can follow the following best practices:
1. Use finally block to ensure unlocking
The most common mistake is that forgetting to release the lock causes a deadlock, or an exception is thrown when the lock is released. In order to ensure the release of the lock, even if an exception occurs, it should always befinally
Unlock in the block.
(); try { // Execute critical area code} finally { (); // Ensure the lock is released}
2. Use lockInterruptibly to implement interrupt lock request
In some cases, threads may be suspended for a long time when acquiring the lock and cannot respond to interrupts in time. By usinglockInterruptibly
, We can ensure that the thread responds to interrupts while waiting for the lock.
public void safeMethod() { try { (); // Can respond to interrupts // Execute critical area code } catch (InterruptedException e) { ().interrupt(); // Processing interrupt ("Thread was interrupted while waiting for the lock."); } finally { (); } }
3. Use tryLock to avoid blocking
ReentrantLock
Also providedtryLock
Method, it tries to acquire the lock and returns immediately. If the lock cannot be acquired, the thread will not be blocked, but will returnfalse
, let us take other measures (such as retrying or skipping operations).
if (()) { try { // Execute critical area code } finally { (); } } else { // Lock acquisition failed, you can choose to try again or perform other operations ("Could not acquire lock. Try again later."); }
4. Use fair locks to avoid thread hunger
By default,ReentrantLock
It is an unfair lock, which means that there is no strict order in which the thread acquires the locks. If you want the thread to acquire the lock in the order in which the lock is requested (avoid thread hunger), you can create a fair lock.
ReentrantLock fairLock = new ReentrantLock(true); // Fair lock
Using fair locks may result in a slight decline in performance because threads need to acquire locks in queue order, but it can avoid situations where some threads cannot acquire locks for a long time.
4. Tips to avoid deadlocks
DeadlockIt is one of the most common problems in multithreaded programming, which occurs when two or more threads cannot continue execution because they are waiting for each other to release the lock. To avoid deadlocks, we can follow the following points:
1. The order of acquisition of locks
Make sure all threads acquire locks in the same order. For example, if thread A needs to acquire lock X and lock Y, thread B should also acquire lock X and lock Y in the same order to avoid waiting for each other.
2. Use tryLock to avoid infinite waiting
When a thread cannot acquire the lock, using the tryLock method can prevent the thread from falling into an infinite waiting state and set a timeout time for the thread.
if (() && ()) { try { // Execute critical area code } finally { (); (); } } else { // Lock acquisition failed, other logic is executed ("Could not acquire both locks, retrying..."); }
By setting the timeout time, if the two locks cannot be acquired within the specified time, the thread will give up waiting to avoid deadlocks.
5. Summary: Best practices for elegant use of ReentrantLock
ReentrantLock
It is a very powerful tool that can provide us with comparisonsynchronized
More fine-grained lock control. However, to use it gracefully, there are several best practices to follow:
-
Ensure the lock is released: Always
unlock
Put infinally
In the block, make sure that the lock can be released even if an exception occurs. -
use
lockInterruptibly
: Used in scenarios that may be blocked for a long timelockInterruptibly
to respond to interrupts. -
use
tryLock
: Avoid endless blocking of threads due to inability to acquire locks, throughtryLock
To detect the lock status and make corresponding processing. - Use fair lock: Use fair locks when it is necessary to ensure the fairness of the lock to avoid thread hunger.
-
Avoid deadlocks: Obtain the order of obtaining the lock and use it reasonably
tryLock
To avoid deadlocks.
By following these principles, we can useReentrantLock
Avoid common pitfalls, improve the stability and maintainability of the code, and write more elegant multi-threaded code.
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