What are some alternatives to mutex in C++?

What are some alternatives to mutex in C++?

There are several alternatives to mutex in C++, such as spinlocks, reader-writer locks, and atomic operations. Would you like to know more about any specific one?

Can you explain reader-writer locks?

Sure! Reader-writer locks allow multiple threads to read data simultaneously while ensuring exclusive access for writing. This improves performance when reads are more frequent than writes.

How do spinlocks work?

Spinlocks are a type of lock that keep checking (or 'spinning') until the lock becomes available. They are lightweight but can waste CPU cycles if the lock is held for a long time.

When should I use atomic operations?

Atomic operations are best used when you need to perform simple operations on shared data without the overhead of locking. They ensure that the operation is completed without interruption.