Lesson 02.9
Application mutex vs multiple instances
An application mutex coordinates work inside one process, but separate server instances need coordination through shared infrastructure.
One stick per counter
A cookie shop's computer shows how many cookies are left. Right now it says 1 🍪. Two workers, Ava and Ben, each get an order at almost the same moment.
At their counter, the workers share a talking stick 🪄. Only the worker holding the stick may check or change the number of cookies. Then the shop gets busy and opens a second counter, with its own stick.
In this lesson you'll
- 1Watch the stick work when both workers share one counter.
- 2Guess what happens with two counters.
- 3Compare one shared stick with two separate sticks.