What are the differences between mutex and atomic operations?

What are the differences between mutex and atomic operations?

Mutexes are locks that prevent multiple threads from accessing shared resources simultaneously, while atomic operations are indivisible operations that complete without interruption, ensuring data integrity.

When should I use mutex instead of atomic operations?

Use mutexes when you need to protect complex data structures or multiple operations that must be executed together. Atomic operations are better for simple, single-variable updates.

Can you give an example of when to use each?

Sure! Use a mutex when updating a linked list to ensure no other thread modifies it during the update. Use atomic operations for incrementing a counter.

Are there performance differences between them?

Yes, atomic operations are generally faster for simple tasks, but mutexes can introduce overhead due to locking and unlocking, especially in high-contention scenarios.