Semaphore (Programming)

A semaphore in programming is a tool used to control access to shared resources by multiple processes or threads. Think of it like a traffic light for computer operations: when the light is green, processes can proceed; when it's red, they must wait. Semaphores help prevent conflicts and ensure that resources, like files or memory, are used safely and efficiently. By signaling when a resource is available or in use, semaphores help manage tasks in a way that avoids errors and maintains order in multi-threaded applications.