What is the difference between std::lock and std::unique_lock?

Can you explain the difference between std::lock and std::unique_lock in C++?

Sure! std::lock is used to lock multiple mutexes at once to avoid deadlocks, while std::unique_lock is a more flexible lock that can be locked and unlocked multiple times.

When should I use std::unique_lock instead of std::lock?

You should use std::unique_lock when you need more control over the locking mechanism, such as deferred locking or condition variables.

Are there any performance differences between the two?

Yes, std::lock can be more efficient for locking multiple mutexes simultaneously, while std::unique_lock has some overhead due to its flexibility.

Can you give an example of using std::unique_lock?

Certainly! Here's a simple example:

std::mutex mtx;
std::unique_lock<std::mutex> lock(mtx);
// critical section
lock.unlock();