When should I use atomic operations in C++?

When should I use atomic operations in C++?

You should use atomic operations in C++ when you need to ensure thread safety without using locks, especially in concurrent programming.

Can you give me an example of atomic operations?

Sure! An example is using std::atomic<int> to safely increment a counter from multiple threads without data races.

What are the benefits of using atomic operations over mutexes?

Atomic operations are generally faster than mutexes because they avoid the overhead of locking and unlocking, reducing contention.

Are there any downsides to using atomic operations?

Yes, atomic operations can be more complex to implement correctly and may not be suitable for all scenarios, especially for complex data structures.