atomic_exchange(), atomic_exchange_explicit()

Updated: April 19, 2023

Atomically change the value of an atomic object (C11)

Synopsis:

#include <stdatomic.h>

C atomic_exchange( volatile A *obj,
                   C desired );

C atomic_exchange_explicit( volatile A *obj,
                            C desired,
                            memory_order order );

Arguments:

obj
A pointer to the atomic object (see the atomic_* types) whose value you want to read.
desired
The value for the object. The “C” represents the non-atomic data type that corresponds to the atomic object.
order
(atomic_exchange_explicit() only) The memory_order to use for the operation.

Library:

Description:

The atomic_exchange() and atomic_exchange_explicit() functions are generic functions that atomically change the value of the given atomic object. The atomic_exchange() function orders memory access according to memory_order_seq_cst; atomic_exchange_explicit() orders them as specified by order.

The implementation of atomic functions may depend on the architecture. For more information, see LL/SC vs LSE atomic operations in the description in Building Embedded Systems of the cpuinfo area of the system page.

Returns:

The value of the object before the operation.

Classification:

C11

Safety:  
Cancellation point No
Interrupt handler Read the Caveats
Signal handler Read the Caveats
Thread Yes

Caveats:

If this function is lock-free (see atomic_is_lock_free()), it's safe to call it from an ISR or signal handler.