Why You Should Move Beyond synchronized: Embracing Modern Java Concurrency

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Introduction

Concurrency is essential in modern software development, allowing programs to perform multiple tasks simultaneously. In Java, the synchronized keyword has traditionally been used to handle concurrency. However, as applications have grown more complex, the limitations of synchronized have become apparent. This article explores why relying solely on synchronized may not be sufficient and introduces modern alternatives that offer greater flexibility and performance.

Understanding synchronized in Java

The synchronized keyword in Java is used to control access to blocks of code or methods, ensuring that only one thread can execute a particular section at a time.

Example:

public synchronized void increment() {
    count++;
}

While this approach is straightforward, it has several drawbacks that can hinder application performance and scalability.

Limitations of synchronized

Coarse-Grained Locking