Which mechanism synchronizes access to critical resources when used with an…

Concept

A synchronization primitive coordinates concurrent processes by controlling access to shared resources.

A semaphore stores synchronization state and is changed atomically through wait and signal operations.

Application

The question asks for the mechanism that synchronizes access to critical resources. A semaphore is the shared synchronization object; its P (wait) and V (signal) operations regulate entry to and exit from a critical section under the chosen protocol.

Contrast

• P-operator is the wait/decrement operation performed on a semaphore; it is an operation, not the synchronization object itself.

• V-operator is the signal/increment operation performed on a semaphore; it is also an operation on the object.

• Semaphore is the synchronization object whose state coordinates access among concurrent processes.

• Swapping transfers a process between main memory and backing storage and belongs to memory management.

Cross-check and result

P and V are the two standard operations applied to a semaphore, while swapping addresses memory placement. Therefore the value that names the resource-synchronization mechanism is Semaphore.