What is the difference between mutex and channel in Go?

Question

Accepted Answer

**Mutex** — protects shared memory. **Channel** — communicates between goroutines.

**Mutex:**
- Protects shared state.
- Locks critical section.
- Memory access pattern.

```go
var mu sync.Mutex
var counter int

func increment() {
    mu.Lock()
    counter++
    mu.Unlock()
}
```

**Channel:**
- Communication mechanism.
- Pass data between goroutines.
- "Don't communicate by sharing memory; share memory by communicating."

```go
ch := make(chan int)

go func() {
    ch <- 42
}()

value := <-ch
```

**Go philosophy:**
- Prefer channels over mutexes.
- Channels for communication.
- Mutexes for state protection.

Go: What is the difference between mutex and channel in Go?