What are some alternatives to std::atomic in C++?

What are some alternatives to std::atomic in C++?

There are several alternatives to std::atomic, such as using mutexes, lock-free data structures, or even higher-level abstractions like concurrent queues.

Can you explain how mutexes work as an alternative?

Mutexes are synchronization primitives that allow only one thread to access a resource at a time, preventing data races.

What are the performance implications of using mutexes compared to std::atomic?

Mutexes can introduce overhead due to locking and unlocking, which may lead to contention, while std::atomic operations are generally faster for simple data types.

Are there any specific scenarios where I should prefer one over the other?

Yes, if you need to perform complex operations atomically, mutexes might be better. For simple counters or flags, std::atomic is usually preferred.