Atomic Operations vs Mutexes: Which to Use?

What are atomic operations and how do they differ from mutexes?

Atomic operations are low-level operations that complete in a single step relative to other threads. Mutexes, on the other hand, are synchronization primitives that allow multiple threads to access shared resources safely by locking them.

When should I use atomic operations instead of mutexes?

Use atomic operations for simple, low-level tasks where performance is critical and contention is low. Mutexes are better for complex operations that require multiple steps or when you need to protect larger sections of code.

Are there any downsides to using atomic operations?

Yes, atomic operations can lead to issues like increased complexity in code and potential performance bottlenecks if overused. They also don't provide the same level of control as mutexes for managing access to shared resources.

Can you give an example of when to use a mutex?

Sure! If you have a shared data structure that multiple threads need to read from and write to, using a mutex ensures that only one thread can modify it at a time, preventing data corruption.