What is the usage of pthread_mutex in Linux?

In Linux, pthread_mutex is used to achieve mutual exclusion between threads accessing shared resources. It is a type of mutex used to protect critical sections. Here is how pthread_mutex is used:

1. Creating and initializing a mutex:
2. Create a mutex named ‘myMutex’ and initialize it.
3. Lock:
4. Lock the mutex named myMutex, execute the critical section code, then unlock the mutex.
5. Attempt to lock:
6. If the attempt to acquire the lock on myMutex is successful:
   // Critical section code
   pthread_mutex_unlock(&myMutex);
   Otherwise:
   // Handling logic for failing to acquire the lock.
7. Destroy the mutex.
8. Destroy the pthread mutex named myMutex.

Important points to note:

1. Before accessing the critical section, a thread must first acquire the lock, otherwise it will be blocked waiting for the lock to be released.
2. Code accessing the critical section should be placed between locking and unlocking to ensure only one thread accesses the critical section at a time.
3. If you’re unable to obtain the lock, you can use the pthread_mutex_trylock() function to attempt to lock it without causing the thread to block.
4. Before destroying the mutex, make sure that no thread is using it.