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---
layout: pattern
title: Semaphore
folder: semaphore
permalink: /patterns/semaphore/
pumlid: HSV14SCm20J0Lk82BFxf1ikCfOn06ZZizfDVVhjRjphobFJnQi2ADv7pKwwEbaU6U9q6CPGwbVh8Xy5E7xvvFoNwPVjYGDo2bEC72b5URRgGeFvNqhMirF45
categories: Concurrency
tags:
- Java
- Difficulty-Intermediate
---
## Also known as
Counting Semaphore
## Intent
Create a lock which mediates access to a pool of resources.
Only a limited number of threads, specified at the creation
of the semaphore, can access the resources at any given time.
A semaphore which only allows one concurrent access to a resource
is called a binary semaphore.
![alt text](./etc/semaphore.png "Semaphore")
## Applicability
Use a Semaphore when
* you have a pool of resources to allocate to different threads
* concurrent access to a resource could lead to a race condition
## Credits
* [Semaphore(programming)] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semaphore_(programming))
* [Semaphores] (http://tutorials.jenkov.com/java-concurrency/semaphores.html)