How do I use mutexes in coding?

How do I use mutexes in coding?

Mutexes, or mutual exclusions, are used to prevent multiple threads from accessing shared resources simultaneously. Would you like to see an example?

Yes, please provide an example of using a mutex in C++.

Sure! Here's a simple example:

#include <iostream>
#include <thread>
#include <mutex>

std::mutex mtx;

void printThreadId(int id) {
    mtx.lock();  // Lock the mutex
    std::cout << "Thread ID: " << id << '\n';
    mtx.unlock();  // Unlock the mutex
}

int main() {
    std::thread threads[5];
    for (int i = 0; i < 5; ++i) {
        threads[i] = std::thread(printThreadId, i);
    }
    for (auto& th : threads) {
        th.join();
    }
    return 0;
}

This code creates multiple threads that print their IDs safely using a mutex.

What happens if I forget to unlock the mutex?

If you forget to unlock the mutex, it can lead to a deadlock situation where other threads are unable to acquire the lock and get stuck waiting indefinitely.

Are there alternatives to mutexes for thread safety?

Yes, alternatives include using read-write locks, semaphores, or lock-free programming techniques, depending on your specific use case.