Advanced C++ Programming Cookbook

Using atomic data types

In this recipe, we will learn how to use atomic data types in C++. Atomic data types provide the ability to read and write simple data types (that is, a Boolean or integer) without the need for thread synchronization (that is, the use of std::mutex and friends). To accomplish this, atomic data types are implemented using special CPU instructions that ensure when an operation is executed, it is done so as a single, atomic operation.

For example, incrementing an integer can be written as follows:

int i = 0;auto tmp = i;tmp++;i = tmp; // i == 1

An atomic data type ensures that this increment is executed such that no other attempts to increment the integer simultaneously can interleave, and therefore result in corruption. ...