Question

Mutual exclusion can be provided by the __________

(a) mutex locks

(b) binary semaphores

(c) both mutex locks and binary semaphores

(d) none of the mentioned

I got this question at a job interview.

My enquiry is from Process Synchronization topic in division Processes of Operating System

Answer 1

Correct choice is (c) both mutex locks and binary semaphores

The best I can explain: Mutual exclusion can be provided by both mutex locks and binary semaphore. Mutex is a short form of Mutual Exclusion. Binary semaphore also provides a mechanism for mutual exclusion. Binary semaphore behaves similar to mutex locks.