ConditionVariable

ConditionVariable objects augment class Mutex. Using condition variables, it is possible to suspend while in the middle of a critical section until a resource becomes available.

Example:

mutex = Mutex.new
resource = ConditionVariable.new

a = Thread.new {
   mutex.synchronize {
     # Thread 'a' now needs the resource
     resource.wait(mutex)
     # 'a' can now have the resource
   }
}

b = Thread.new {
   mutex.synchronize {
     # Thread 'b' has finished using the resource
     resource.signal
   }
}