How do std::thread and std::async compare in performance?

How do std::thread and std::async compare in performance?

Both std::thread and std::async are used for concurrency in C++, but they have different performance characteristics. std::thread gives you more control over thread management, while std::async can simplify asynchronous operations.

Can you explain the scenarios where one is preferred over the other?

Certainly! Use std::thread when you need fine-grained control over thread execution and lifecycle. Use std::async for simpler, one-off tasks where you want the result to be available later without managing the thread explicitly.

What about the overhead of each method?

std::thread has lower overhead since it directly creates a thread, but std::async may introduce additional overhead due to its task management and potential thread pooling.

Are there any benchmarks available for comparison?

Yes, there are several benchmarks available online that compare the performance of std::thread and std::async under different workloads. It's best to look for benchmarks that match your specific use case.