InterlockedCompareExchange function (winnt.h)

Performs an atomic compare-and-exchange operation on the specified values. The function compares two specified 32-bit values and exchanges with another 32-bit value based on the outcome of the comparison.

If you are exchanging pointer values, this function has been superseded by the InterlockedCompareExchangePointer function.

To operate on 64-bit values, use the InterlockedCompareExchange64 function.

Syntax

LONG InterlockedCompareExchange(
  [in, out] LONG volatile *Destination,
  [in]      LONG          ExChange,
  [in]      LONG          Comperand
);

Parameters

[in, out] Destination

A pointer to the destination value.

[in] ExChange

The exchange value.

[in] Comperand

The value to compare to Destination.

Return value

The function returns the initial value of the Destination parameter.

Remarks

The function compares the Destination value with the Comparand value. If the Destination value is equal to the Comparand value, the Exchange value is stored in the address specified by Destination. Otherwise, no operation is performed.

The parameters for this function must be aligned on a 32-bit boundary; otherwise, the function will behave unpredictably on multiprocessor x86 systems and any non-x86 systems. malloc, calloc, HeapAlloc, and HeapReAlloc provide sufficiently aligned memory.

The interlocked functions provide a simple mechanism for synchronizing access to a variable that is shared by multiple threads. This function is atomic with respect to calls to other interlocked functions.

This function is implemented using a compiler intrinsic where possible. For more information, see the WinBase.h header file and _InterlockedCompareExchange.

This function generates a full memory barrier (or fence) to ensure that memory operations are completed in order.

Itanium-based systems:  For performance-critical applications, use InterlockedCompareExchangeAcquire or InterlockedCompareExchangeRelease instead.

Note  This function is supported on Windows RT-based systems.
 

Requirements

Requirement Value
Minimum supported client Windows XP [desktop apps | UWP apps]
Minimum supported server Windows Server 2003 [desktop apps | UWP apps]
Target Platform Windows
Header winnt.h (include Windows.h)
Library Kernel32.lib
DLL Kernel32.dll

See also

Interlocked Variable Access

InterlockedCompare64Exchange128

InterlockedCompareExchange128

InterlockedCompareExchange16

InterlockedCompareExchange16Acquire

InterlockedCompareExchange16NoFence

InterlockedCompareExchange16Release

InterlockedCompareExchange64

InterlockedCompareExchangeAcquire

InterlockedCompareExchangeAcquire64

InterlockedCompareExchangeNoFence

InterlockedCompareExchangeNoFence64

InterlockedCompareExchangePointer

InterlockedCompareExchangePointerAcquire

InterlockedCompareExchangePointerNoFence

InterlockedCompareExchangePointerRelease

InterlockedCompareExchangeRelease

InterlockedCompareExchangeRelease64

Synchronization Functions