How can I avoid deadlocks in C++?

What are deadlocks in C++ and how can I avoid them?

Deadlocks occur when two or more threads are waiting for each other to release resources. To avoid them, you can use techniques like lock ordering, timeout locks, or using a single lock for multiple resources.

Can you explain lock ordering in more detail?

Sure! Lock ordering involves acquiring locks in a predefined order. This way, you prevent circular wait conditions, which are a common cause of deadlocks.

What are timeout locks?

Timeout locks allow a thread to attempt to acquire a lock for a limited time. If it can't acquire the lock within that time, it can either retry or take alternative actions, reducing the chance of deadlocks.

Are there any libraries in C++ that help with this?

Yes, libraries like Boost and C++11's standard threading library provide features like scoped locks and mutexes that can help manage locks more effectively.