Explain the concept of synchronization in distributed computing.

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Explain the concept of synchronization in distributed computing.

Synchronization in distributed computing refers to the coordination and control of concurrent processes or threads in a distributed system. It ensures that multiple processes or threads execute in a specific order or at specific times to maintain consistency and avoid conflicts.

In distributed systems, where multiple computers or nodes work together to achieve a common goal, synchronization becomes crucial to ensure that the system functions correctly. It involves managing access to shared resources, such as data or devices, to prevent race conditions and maintain data integrity.

There are various synchronization mechanisms used in distributed computing, including locks, semaphores, barriers, and message passing protocols. These mechanisms enable processes or threads to coordinate their actions, communicate with each other, and enforce mutual exclusion or ordering constraints.

Synchronization in distributed computing helps in achieving consistency and correctness by ensuring that processes or threads cooperate and follow a predefined set of rules or protocols. It allows for efficient utilization of resources, prevents data corruption, and enables parallelism while maintaining the desired order of execution.