Thread Pool vs Async in C++

What are the main differences between using a thread pool and async in C++?

The main differences lie in how they manage concurrency. A thread pool reuses a fixed number of threads for multiple tasks, while async creates new threads as needed, which can lead to more overhead.

When should I use a thread pool instead of async?

You should use a thread pool when you have a large number of short-lived tasks, as it reduces the overhead of thread creation and destruction.

Can you give me an example of using a thread pool in C++?

Sure! You can use the C++11 <thread> library along with a task queue to implement a simple thread pool. Would you like a code snippet?

Yes, please provide a code snippet for a basic thread pool.

Here's a simple example:

#include <iostream>
#include <thread>
#include <vector>
#include <queue>
#include <functional>
#include <condition_variable>

class ThreadPool {
public:
    ThreadPool(size_t threads);
    template<class F>
    void enqueue(F&& f);
    ~ThreadPool();
private:
    std::vector<std::thread> workers;
    std::queue<std::function<void()>> tasks;
    std::mutex queue_mutex;
    std::condition_variable condition;
    bool stop;
};

// Implementation details...

This sets up a basic thread pool structure.