What are the differences between mutex and lock guard?

Can you explain the differences between a mutex and a lock guard?

Sure! A mutex is a synchronization primitive that allows multiple threads to access shared resources safely, while a lock guard is a C++ RAII (Resource Acquisition Is Initialization) wrapper that manages the locking and unlocking of a mutex automatically.

What are the advantages of using a lock guard over a mutex directly?

Using a lock guard simplifies code by ensuring that the mutex is automatically released when the lock guard goes out of scope, reducing the risk of deadlocks and making the code cleaner.

Are there any scenarios where I should prefer using a mutex instead of a lock guard?

Yes, if you need more control over the locking mechanism, such as locking and unlocking at different points in your code, a mutex might be more appropriate.

Can you give me an example of how to implement a lock guard in C++?

Certainly! Here's a simple example:

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