How do I use mutex in C++?

How do I use mutex in C++?

You can use the std::mutex class from the <mutex> header to protect shared resources in C++. Would you like an example?

Yes, please provide a simple example.

Sure! Here's a basic example:

#include <iostream>
#include <thread>
#include <mutex>

std::mutex mtx;
int sharedResource = 0;

void increment() {
    mtx.lock();
    ++sharedResource;
    mtx.unlock();
}

int main() {
    std::thread t1(increment);
    std::thread t2(increment);
    t1.join();
    t2.join();
    std::cout << "Shared Resource: " << sharedResource << std::endl;
    return 0;
}

This code safely increments a shared resource using a mutex.

What happens if I forget to unlock the mutex?

If you forget to unlock the mutex, it can lead to a deadlock situation where other threads are unable to access the protected resource, causing your program to hang.

Are there alternatives to using mutex?

Yes, alternatives include using std::lock_guard for automatic locking and unlocking, or std::unique_lock for more flexibility.