What are the best practices for using stdatomic in C++?

What are the best practices for using stdatomic in C++?

When using stdatomic in C++, it's important to follow these best practices: 1. Use atomic types for shared data. 2. Prefer atomic operations over locks for performance. 3. Be aware of memory order semantics. 4. Avoid mixing atomic and non-atomic accesses.

Can you explain memory order semantics?

Sure! Memory order semantics define how operations on atomic variables are seen by other threads. The main types are: 1. memory_order_relaxed - no synchronization, 2. memory_order_acquire - prevents reordering of reads, 3. memory_order_release - prevents reordering of writes, and 4. memory_order_seq_cst - provides a total order.

What are some common pitfalls to avoid?

Common pitfalls include: 1. Not understanding the implications of memory order, 2. Using atomic types incorrectly, 3. Failing to ensure proper synchronization when accessing shared data, and 4. Overusing atomics when locks would be simpler.

How do I choose between std::atomic and mutex?

Choose std::atomic for simple shared data access where performance is critical and contention is low. Use mutex when you need to protect complex data structures or when atomic operations are insufficient.