Inter-process auto-released counter / other synchronization mechanism in Windows

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In Windows, you can use various inter-process synchronization mechanisms to achieve counter-based synchronization or coordination between processes. Here are a few options you can consider:

  1. Mutex (Mutual Exclusion): A mutex is a synchronization object that allows only one process to access a shared resource at a time. You can create a named mutex object that can be accessed by multiple processes. Each process can increment or decrement the counter value as needed while holding the mutex, ensuring exclusive access to the counter.

  2. Semaphore: A semaphore is a synchronization object that maintains a count and allows multiple processes to access a shared resource concurrently up to a specified limit. You can create a named semaphore object and initialize it with the desired counter value. Each process can then acquire the semaphore and increment or decrement the counter as needed.

  3. Named Pipe: Named pipes can be used for inter-process communication and synchronization. You can create a named pipe and use it to send messages between processes. Each process can increment or decrement the counter value as part of the message exchange, ensuring synchronization.

  4. Shared Memory: Shared memory allows multiple processes to share a region of memory. You can create a shared memory segment and store the counter value in that shared memory. Each process can access and modify the counter value as needed, ensuring synchronization.

The choice of synchronization mechanism depends on your specific requirements and the level of synchronization needed between processes. Consider factors such as performance, complexity, and the number of processes involved when selecting the appropriate mechanism.

Note that proper synchronization and coordination between processes require careful design and handling of shared resources to avoid race conditions or other synchronization issues. It's important to ensure that the counter value is accessed and modified safely and consistently across all processes involved.