What are the different synchronization primitives in C++?

What are the different synchronization primitives in C++?

In C++, synchronization primitives are mechanisms that help manage access to shared resources in concurrent programming. The main ones include mutexes, condition variables, and semaphores.

Can you explain how a mutex works?

A mutex, or mutual exclusion, is a locking mechanism that prevents multiple threads from accessing a shared resource simultaneously. When a thread locks a mutex, other threads trying to lock it will be blocked until it is unlocked.

What about condition variables? How do they differ from mutexes?

Condition variables are used in conjunction with mutexes to allow threads to wait for certain conditions to be met. Unlike mutexes, they do not provide mutual exclusion but rather enable threads to sleep until notified.

Are semaphores similar to mutexes?

Yes, semaphores are similar but allow a specified number of threads to access a resource concurrently, while mutexes allow only one. Semaphores can be binary or counting.