When should I use lock-free vs lock-based data structures?

What are lock-free and lock-based data structures?

Lock-free data structures allow multiple threads to operate without locking, while lock-based structures use locks to manage access.

When should I choose lock-free structures over lock-based ones?

Choose lock-free structures for high concurrency and low latency, especially in real-time systems. Lock-based is simpler for fewer threads.

What are the advantages of using lock-free structures?

Lock-free structures reduce contention, avoid deadlocks, and can improve performance in multi-threaded environments.

Are there any downsides to using lock-free data structures?

Yes, they can be more complex to implement and may require a deeper understanding of atomic operations.

Can you give an example of a lock-free data structure?

A common example is the lock-free stack, which uses atomic operations to manage push and pop without locks.