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Everything about Critical section

Protected section of code that cannot be executed by more than one process at a time

In concurrent programming, concurrent accesses to shared resources can lead to unexpected or erroneous behavior. Thus, the parts of the program where the shared resource is accessed need to be protected in ways that avoid the concurrent access. One way to do so is known as a critical section or critical region. This protected section cannot be entered by more than one process or thread at a time; others are suspended until the first leaves the critical section. Typically, the critical section accesses a shared resource, such as a data structure, peripheral device, or network connection, that would not operate correctly in the context of multiple concurrent accesses. Wikipedia →

🧭 Start here: a 6-step reading path

  1. Read the overview: Critical sectionA 5-minute orientation
  2. Skim a recent paper: Critical bistability in variable cross-section metamaterials: PINN-driven transient stress recognition and adaptive energy dissipationInfluential work since 2022
  3. Pick up a classic book: Dress Your Family in Corduroy and DenimThe most-reprinted book on the subject
  4. Read the landmark paper: Critical response to Special Section: international academic mobilityCited 43 times
  5. Go sideways: Mutual exclusionA closely related topic
  6. Go sideways: Synchronization (computer science)A closely related topic

📖 Definitions

Noun A piece of code that accesses a shared resource that must not be concurrently accessed by more than one thread of execution.

🗂️ The subject at a glance

  1. Need for critical sections
  2. Implementation of critical sections
  3. Uses of critical sections

🏆 Landmark papers (most cited)

🆕 Influential since 2022

📚 Books worth reading

Ranked by number of editions on Open Library, a rough measure of how lasting a book is.

🔗 Related topics