What is std::lock_guard in C++?

Can you explain what std::lock_guard is in C++?

Sure! std::lock_guard is a C++ class that provides a convenient RAII-style mechanism for managing mutex locks.

How does it help with thread safety?

It automatically locks a mutex when the lock_guard is created and unlocks it when the lock_guard goes out of scope, preventing deadlocks.

Can you give me a code example?

Certainly! Here's a simple example:

#include <mutex>
std::mutex mtx;
void threadFunction() {
    std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(mtx);
    // critical section
}

What happens if I forget to unlock the mutex?

If you forget to unlock the mutex, it can lead to deadlocks or resource contention, which std::lock_guard helps to avoid.