What are the differences between mutex and atomic variables?

What are the differences between mutex and atomic variables?

Mutexes are used for mutual exclusion, allowing only one thread to access a resource at a time, while atomic variables provide lock-free synchronization for simple operations.

Can you explain how mutexes work in more detail?

Sure! A mutex is a synchronization primitive that protects shared resources by allowing only one thread to lock it at a time, preventing race conditions.

What are the advantages of using atomic variables?

Atomic variables allow for lock-free operations, which can lead to better performance in multi-threaded applications by reducing overhead from locking.

Are there any downsides to using atomic variables?

Yes, atomic variables are limited to simple operations and may not be suitable for complex data structures, where mutexes would be more appropriate.