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The first condition is sometimes relaxed when it can be ensured that only one thread ever updates the value of the variable \[[Goetz 06|AA. Java References#Goetz 06]\]. However, it is still possible for reader threads to see stale values of the variable while the writing thread is in the process of modifying its value, before writing it back. Furthermore, it is harder to maintain code that relies on such an invariant being true at all times. |
Synchronizing the code makes it easier to reason about its behavior and is frequently, a more secure approach than using volatile. However, it is slightly more expensive and can cause deadlocks when used excessively.
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