How to use the AtomicReference function for atomic reference operations in Java

How to use the AtomicReference function to perform atomic reference operations in Java

In Java, through the AtomicReference function, thread-safe atomic reference operations can be implemented. This atomic reference operation can ensure that multi-threads' access and modification of a shared reference variable under concurrent circumstances are thread-safe. This article will introduce in detail how to use the AtomicReference function to perform atomic reference operations in Java.

1. Definition of AtomicReference function

The AtomicReference function is a class in the java.util.concurrent.atomic package and is used to maintain an object reference.

In Java, you can use this function to encapsulate a shared object variable into an atomic operation object, thereby realizing atomic reference operations on the shared object variable.

2. Methods of the AtomicReference function

The AtomicReference class provides several methods for atomic reference operations:

1. get method: Returns the value of the current object reference.
2. set method: Set the value of the current object reference.
3. compareAndSet method: If the current value is equal to the expected value, set the current value to the new value and return true, otherwise return false.
4. getAndSet method: Set the value of the current object reference and return the old value.

In addition, there are some other methods, such as getAndUpdate, updateAndGet, accumulateAndGet, etc., which can also be used for atomic reference operations.

3. Use of AtomicReference function

In practical applications, the use of AtomicReference function usually requires two steps:

1. Define shared object variables.

For example, define a shared object variable:

AtomicReference