How do lock-free structures work?

Can you explain how lock-free data structures work?

Lock-free data structures allow multiple threads to operate on shared data without using locks, reducing contention.

What are the advantages of using lock-free structures?

They improve performance by avoiding deadlocks and reducing context switching, making them ideal for high-concurrency scenarios.

Are there any common examples of lock-free data structures?

Yes, common examples include lock-free queues, stacks, and linked lists, often implemented using atomic operations.

How do they handle memory management?

Lock-free structures typically use techniques like hazard pointers or epoch-based reclamation to manage memory safely.