Synchronization

Hi all,
Can someone please set me straight on a few synchronization concepts?
Are method variables thread-safe? I thought I read that method variables are thread-safe, but I am not yet fully convinced this is true.
I read servlet "service requests" get their own instance, and because of this are thread-safe. Although I have encountered threading issues in servlet doGet and doPost methods that seem to discredit that statement. "Service requests" are synonymous with doGet and doPost methods. Isn't that correct?
When a thread enters a synchronized method, are all synchronized methods within that class locked?
Can someone please set me straight on these issues?
Can anyone recommend solid documentation, books or links regarding synchronization?
Thanks so much!!!
Mike Cronin :roll:

Originally posted by Mike Cronin:
Hi all,
Can someone please set me straight on a few synchronization concepts?
Are method variables thread-safe?

Also known as local variables, yes they are. Each thread has its own call stack, and since local variables are created on the stack, there's no way for them to interfere with each other.

When a thread enters a synchronized method, are all synchronized methods within that class locked?

If you mean that all the methods have an explicit synchronzied modifier in their delcaration, then yes. The thread that acquires the lock for the object will run that method, and any other threads attempting to acquire the same object lock in order to run that method, or any other method in the same class that's also synchronized, will block until the first thread releases the object lock.
[ April 18, 2002: Message edited by: Rob Ross ]

Thanks a bunch Rob!
I guess the more I deal with synchronization the better I'll understand the real issues.
Right now I just don't feel confident enough when it comes to synchronization. Maybe someday when I grow up I'll have a better grasp on this elusive issue

Thanks again for your valued reply!

Best Regards!!!
Mike Cronin

Anal point of accuracy

All objects are created on the heap. Even if they are created in a method. But yes, the references are on the stack and essentially they are safe too.

Thanks CLG!
Any and all comments are most welcome

Mike Cronin