What are some examples of std::atomic in C++?

What are some examples of std::atomic in C++?

std::atomic is used for atomic operations in C++. For example, you can use std::atomic<int> to safely increment a counter in a multithreaded environment.

Can you show me a code snippet using std::atomic?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

#include <atomic>
#include <iostream>
#include <thread>

std::atomic<int> counter(0);

void increment() {
    for (int i = 0; i < 1000; ++i) {
        counter++;
    }
}

int main() {
    std::thread t1(increment);
    std::thread t2(increment);
    t1.join();
    t2.join();
    std::cout << "Final counter value: " << counter.load() << std::endl;
    return 0;
}

What does the load() function do in this context?

The load() function retrieves the current value of the atomic variable safely, ensuring that no other thread modifies it while reading.

Are there any performance considerations when using std::atomic?

Yes, while std::atomic provides thread safety, it can introduce overhead compared to non-atomic operations. It's important to use it judiciously.