What are some practical use cases for std::atomic in C++?

What are some practical use cases for std::atomic in C++?

std::atomic is used for thread-safe operations without locks. Common use cases include counters, flags, and shared state.

Can you give an example of using std::atomic for a counter?

Sure! You can use std::atomic<int> to create a thread-safe counter that increments safely across multiple threads.

What about using std::atomic for flags?

You can use std::atomic<bool> to create a flag that indicates whether a task is complete, ensuring visibility across threads.

Are there performance benefits to using std::atomic?

Yes, std::atomic can reduce contention and improve performance compared to traditional locking mechanisms.

What are the limitations of std::atomic?

Limitations include not being able to perform complex operations atomically and potential performance issues with high contention.