How can I create an atomic enum in C++?

atomic, c++, c++11, enums

Solution

You can create an atomic enum like this:

#include <atomic>

enum Decision {stay,flee,dance};
std::atomic<Decision> emma_choice {stay}; // emma_choice is atomic

You can also do the same thing with enum classes:

#include <atomic>

enum class Decision {stay,flee,dance};
std::atomic<Decision> emma_choice {Decision::stay}; // emma_choice is atomic

Problem

Class `atomic` contains atomic versions of many different variable types. However, it doesn't contain an atomic enum type. Is there a way to use atomic enums or make my own? As far as I can tell, my only option is to either not use enums or use mutexes/semaphores to protect them. Note: This bug report I found mentions "std::atomic enum support", but I don't see any mention of an atomic enum type in the C++ Standard, so I'm not sure what that refers to.

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