Re: [Boost-users] [Thread][win32, msvc] Mutexes

Subject: Re: [Boost-users] [Thread][win32, msvc] Mutexes
From: Anthony Williams (anthony.ajw_at_[hidden])
Date: 2008-09-28 04:29:56

"Alexander Gutenev" <gutenev_at_[hidden]> writes:

> I consider changing from win32 CRITICAL_SECTIONs to Boost.Thread mutexes.
>
> boost::mutex isn't CRITICAL_SECTION, but boost::detail::lightweight_mutex 
> is. Does this mean that boost::mutex is heavy-weight ?

No. boost::mutex is a lightweight mutex. It has slightly different
performance characteristics than CRITICAL_SECTION: it is intended to
be "better" than CRITICAL_SECTION.

> If not so, what's the reason for boost::detail::lightweight_mutex to
> exist ?

I think it's a historic artifact from versions of boost.thread prior
to 1.35.0 when boost::mutex required linking to the thread library,
which allowed mutexes to be used in header-only boost libraries.

I'll leave it to Peter to comment on whether he thinks it's still
required and why.

Anthony
-- 
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