How does C++ std::atomic affect performance?

How does using std::atomic in C++ affect the performance of my application?

Using std::atomic can introduce some overhead due to memory ordering and synchronization, but it ensures thread safety.

Is the performance impact significant compared to using regular variables?

The impact can vary; for low contention scenarios, the overhead is minimal, but for high contention, it can be more noticeable.

Are there any best practices to minimize performance loss when using std::atomic?

Yes, try to minimize the frequency of atomic operations, use lock-free algorithms when possible, and prefer atomic operations that fit your use case.

Can you give an example of a situation where std::atomic is beneficial?

Certainly! In a multi-threaded counter where multiple threads increment a shared variable, std::atomic ensures accurate results without locks.