What are some design patterns for lock-free programming?

What are some design patterns for lock-free programming?

Lock-free programming involves techniques that allow multiple threads to operate without locking resources. Common patterns include the use of atomic operations, compare-and-swap (CAS), and lock-free data structures like queues and stacks.

Can you explain how compare-and-swap works?

Compare-and-swap (CAS) is an atomic instruction that compares the value at a memory location to a given value and, if they are the same, swaps it with a new value. This allows for safe updates without locks.

What are the advantages of using lock-free programming?

Lock-free programming can improve performance by reducing contention and avoiding deadlocks. It also enhances scalability in multi-threaded applications.

Are there any downsides to lock-free programming?

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