critical sections

A critical section is a part of a computer program where shared resources, like data or hardware, are accessed. To prevent errors or conflicts, only one process or thread should enter this section at a time. Think of it like a single-user checkout lane at a store—only one person can use it at a time to avoid confusion or mistakes. Proper management of critical sections ensures that different parts of the program don't interfere with each other, maintaining data integrity and consistent operation.