What is a .NET Mutex?

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.threading.mutex(v=vs.110).aspx

• a primitive .NET type
• one thread owns it at a time
• WaitOne(int)
  • blocks the calling thread
  • returns true when no threads own it
  • then gives ownership to the calling thread
  • otherwise, returns false when the timeout expires
• similar to the Semaphore .NET type
  • but only the owner of a Mutex can release a Mutex ,
  • and Mutex scope can pass application domain boundaries
• scope
  • a local, unnamed Mutex has process scope
  • a system, named Mutex has operating system scope
• use case examples:
  • https://stackoverflow.com/questions/19147/what-is-the-correct-way-to-create-a-single-instance-application