Lock-Free vs Lock-Based Programming in C++

What are the main differences between lock-free and lock-based programming in C++?

Lock-free programming allows multiple threads to operate without locking resources, reducing contention. Lock-based programming uses mutexes or locks to control access to shared resources, which can lead to bottlenecks.

What are the advantages of using lock-free programming?

Lock-free programming can improve performance in multi-threaded applications by avoiding deadlocks and reducing context switching. It also enhances scalability as more threads can operate concurrently.

Are there any downsides to lock-free programming?

Yes, lock-free programming can be more complex to implement and debug. It may also lead to increased CPU usage due to busy-waiting in some cases.

Can you give an example of a lock-free data structure?

A common example of a lock-free data structure is the lock-free queue, which allows multiple threads to enqueue and dequeue items without using locks.