Read/write synchronization

Question

I have a data structure whose operations can be categorized as read operations (e.g. lookup) and write operations (e.g. insertion, removal). These operations should be synchronized so that:

• Read operations can't execute while a write operation is executing (unless on the same thread), however read operations can be executed concurrently with respect to other read operations.
• Write operations can't execute while either read or write operations are executing (unless on the same thread).

How can this kind of synchronization be implemented?

The platform is win-api so the api's synchronization objects and interlocked functions are the basic building blocks.

Answer 1

Microsoft's recommended implementation of a Reader/Writer lock is here (you'll have to scroll a bit, to the header "Reader/Writer locks"):

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms810427.aspx

For reference, for those who have the same question but who have the luxury of .NET:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.threading.readerwriterlock.aspx