What are the differences between async and multithreading in C++?

What are the differences between async and multithreading in C++?

Async programming in C++ allows you to run tasks concurrently without managing threads directly, while multithreading involves creating and managing multiple threads.

Can you give me an example of when to use async instead of multithreading?

Sure! Use async when you have I/O-bound tasks, like reading files or making network requests, as it can improve responsiveness.

What about CPU-bound tasks? Should I use multithreading for those?

Yes, for CPU-bound tasks, multithreading is often more effective as it can utilize multiple cores to perform computations in parallel.

Are there any downsides to using async in C++?

One downside is that async can introduce complexity in error handling and debugging, as the flow of execution is less straightforward.