What are the different thread safety techniques in C++?

What are the different thread safety techniques in C++?

In C++, thread safety techniques include mutexes, locks, atomic operations, and condition variables. Each has its use cases.

Can you explain how mutexes work?

Mutexes are used to protect shared resources by allowing only one thread to access the resource at a time, preventing data races.

What are atomic operations and how do they differ from mutexes?

Atomic operations are low-level operations that complete in a single step relative to other threads, making them faster than mutexes for simple tasks.

When should I use condition variables?

Condition variables are used for signaling between threads, allowing one thread to wait for a condition to be met before proceeding.

Are there any performance considerations I should be aware of?

Yes, using mutexes can introduce overhead and contention, while atomic operations are generally faster but may not be suitable for complex data structures.