What are the differences between mutex and atomic operations?

What are the differences between mutex and atomic operations?

Mutexes are locks that provide mutual exclusion, while atomic operations are indivisible operations that ensure data integrity without locks.

When should I use mutex instead of atomic operations?

Use mutex when you need to protect complex data structures or multiple operations, while atomic operations are better for simple, single-variable updates.

Can you give an example of when to use each?

Sure! Use a mutex for a shared list where multiple threads add or remove items. Use atomic operations for incrementing a shared counter.

Are there performance differences between them?

Yes, atomic operations are generally faster since they avoid the overhead of locking, but mutexes are safer for complex scenarios.