How do I use std::async in C++?

Can you explain how to use std::async in C++?

Sure! std::async is a function that allows you to run tasks asynchronously in C++. It returns a future that can be used to retrieve the result of the task.

What are the benefits of using std::async over traditional threading?

Using std::async simplifies the code by managing threads for you, handling exceptions, and providing a straightforward way to get results.

Can you give me a simple code example?

Of course! Here's a basic example:

#include <iostream>
#include <future>

int compute() {
    return 42;
}

int main() {
    std::future<int> result = std::async(std::launch::async, compute);
    std::cout << "Result: " << result.get() << std::endl;
    return 0;
}

What happens if the task takes too long?

If the task takes too long, you can set a timeout using std::future's wait_for method, which allows you to specify a duration to wait.