memmove and Multi-threaded Programming: Risks and Solutions
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Summary
This article explores the challenges of using the memmove function in C programming when multi-threaded programming, a method of allowing multiple threads to run simultaneously, is involved.
It first describes memmove, a memory management function that is designed to handle memory transfers and overlaps in destination and source blocks that may occur.
The issue arises when these memory operations are conducted in a multi-threaded environment, as it can lead to shared data being accessed and changed simultaneously by different threads, known as race conditions, causing data inconsistencies and unexpected results.
To resolve this problem, the article presents solutions such as the use of Mutexes and Semaphores, which are programme objects and con-current programming concepts that help organise the execution and access of resources amongst threads.
It also suggests optimised code design as a solution, where data sharing among threads is minimised to prevent race conditions and data inconsistencies from occurring.