What is the correct way to synchronize a shared, static object in Java?
- by johnrock
This is a question concerning what is the proper way to synchronize a shared object in java. One caveat is that the object that I want to share must be accessed from static methods. My question is, If I synchronize on a static field, does that lock the class the field belongs to similar to the way a synchronized static method would? Or, will this only lock the field itself?
In my specific example I am asking: Will calling PayloadService.getPayload() or PayloadService.setPayload() lock PayloadService.payload? Or will it lock the entire PayloadService class?
public class PayloadService extends Service {
private static PayloadDTO payload = new PayloadDTO();
public static void setPayload(PayloadDTO payload){
synchronized(PayloadService.payload){
PayloadService.payload = payload;
}
}
public static PayloadDTO getPayload() {
synchronized(PayloadService.payload){
return PayloadService.payload ;
}
}
...
Is this a correct/acceptable approach ?
In my example the PayloadService is a separate thread, updating the payload object at regular intervals - other threads need to call PayloadService.getPayload() at random intervals to get the latest data and I need to make sure that they don't lock the PayloadService from carrying out its timer task
