Description: A volatile variable in C++ is a type of variable that can be modified by different execution threads or external hardware, meaning its value can change at any moment without the compiler being able to predict it. This is crucial in concurrent programming environments, where multiple threads may access and modify the same variable. The ‘volatile’ keyword is used to indicate to the compiler that it should not optimize access to this variable, as there may be unexpected changes in its value. Without this declaration, the compiler might assume that the variable’s value does not change during program execution, which could lead to erratic and hard-to-debug behaviors. Volatile variables are especially useful in scenarios involving hardware interaction and signal handling, where the state of a variable may be altered by external events. In summary, using ‘volatile’ is an essential practice to ensure correct synchronization and safe access to shared data in multithreaded and distributed environments.
