What is Race Condition in Java?

#race #condition #java

A Race Condition occurs when multiple threads access and modify shared data at the same time, and the final result depends on the order in which threads execute.

Because thread execution timing is unpredictable, it can lead to incorrect or inconsistent results.

🔹 Simple Definition

👉 When two or more threads “race” to update the same resource without proper synchronization, a race condition happens.

🔹 Example of Race Condition

class Counter {
    int count = 0;

    void increment() {
        count++;   // Not thread-safe
    }
}

If two threads execute increment() simultaneously:

Thread A reads value → 0
Thread B reads value → 0
Thread A updates → 1
Thread B updates → 1

✅ Expected result: 2
❌ Actual result: 1

This is a race condition.

🔹 Why Race Condition Happens?

Shared mutable data
Multiple threads running concurrently
Lack of synchronization
Non-atomic operations (count++ is not atomic)

🔹 How to Prevent Race Condition?

1️⃣ Using synchronized

synchronized void increment() {
    count++;
}

2️⃣ Using Atomic Classes

AtomicInteger count = new AtomicInteger();

count.incrementAndGet();

3️⃣ Using Locks (ReentrantLock)

Provides better control than synchronized blocks.

🔹 Real-Time Examples

Bank account balance updates
Ticket booking systems
Inventory management systems
Multi-user web applications

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