How can I implement a spinlock in C++?

How can I implement a spinlock in C++?

To implement a spinlock in C++, you can use atomic operations to create a lock that repeatedly checks if it's available.

Can you show me a simple code example?

Sure! Here's a basic implementation:

#include <atomic>

class Spinlock {
    std::atomic_flag flag = ATOMIC_FLAG_INIT;
public:
    void lock() {
        while (flag.test_and_set(std::memory_order_acquire)); // spin
    }
    void unlock() {
        flag.clear(std::memory_order_release);
    }
};

What are the advantages of using a spinlock?

Spinlocks are lightweight and can be more efficient than mutexes in scenarios where locks are held for very short durations.

Are there any downsides to using spinlocks?

Yes, spinlocks can lead to busy-waiting, which wastes CPU cycles if the lock is held for a long time, potentially degrading performance.