What is the difference between mutex and lock_guard in C++?

What is the difference between mutex and lock_guard in C++?

In C++, a mutex is a synchronization primitive that allows multiple threads to access shared resources safely. A lock_guard, on the other hand, is a wrapper that manages a mutex's locking and unlocking automatically, ensuring that the mutex is released when the lock_guard goes out of scope.

When should I use lock_guard instead of just using mutex directly?

You should use lock_guard when you want to ensure that a mutex is automatically released when it goes out of scope, which helps prevent deadlocks and makes your code cleaner and safer.

Can you give me an example of using lock_guard?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

#include <iostream>
#include <mutex>

std::mutex mtx;

void safePrint() {
    std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(mtx);
    std::cout << "Thread-safe print!" << std::endl;
}

What happens if I forget to unlock a mutex?

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