How do I use mutexes effectively in C++?

How do I use mutexes effectively in C++?

Mutexes are used to protect shared data from being accessed simultaneously by multiple threads. Do you need examples?

Yes, can you provide a code example of using a mutex?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

#include <iostream>
#include <thread>
#include <mutex>

std::mutex mtx;
int shared_data = 0;

void increment() {
    mtx.lock();
    ++shared_data;
    mtx.unlock();
}

int main() {
    std::thread t1(increment);
    std::thread t2(increment);
    t1.join();
    t2.join();
    std::cout << "Shared data: " << shared_data << std::endl;
}

This code safely increments a shared variable using a mutex.

What are the potential pitfalls of using mutexes?

Common pitfalls include deadlocks, where two threads wait on each other indefinitely, and performance bottlenecks due to excessive locking.

How can I avoid deadlocks when using mutexes?

To avoid deadlocks, ensure that all threads acquire locks in the same order, and consider using lock hierarchies or timeouts.