A mutex is a simple data structure. It works with code, not data. If a mutex is locked, the other threads will continue. It's only when a thread attempts to ...

A mutex, short for "mutual exclusion", is a program object that allows multiple program threads to share the same resource, such as file access, but not simultaneously. When a program is started, a mutex is created with a unique name. After this stage, any thread that needs the resource must lock the mutex from other threads while it is using the resource. The mutex is set to unlocked status when the data is no longer needed or the routine is finished.

Here's a step-by-step explanation of how a mutex works:

1. Initialization: A mutex is created and initialized. At this point, it is available for any thread that requires it.

2. Locking: When a thread needs to access the shared resource, it must first lock the mutex. If the mutex is already locked by another thread, the requesting thread will be put to sleep by the system.

3. Accessing: Once the mutex is locked by a thread, that thread can access the shared resource it was protecting.

4. Unlocking: After the thread has finished using the shared resource, it must unlock the mutex. This makes the mutex available for other threads to lock and gain access to the shared resource.

5. Destruction: When the mutex is no longer needed (usually when the program is closing), it is destroyed to free up system resources.

So, to correct your statement, if a mutex is locked, other threads will not continue if they attempt to lock the same mutex. They will be put to sleep until the mutex is unlocked by the thread that currently owns it.