@valigo if by "hardware locks" you mean things like x86's `lock` prefix then there's a difference - that guarantees atomicity but unlike SW locks it can't deadlock etc so forward progress and correctness are both guaranteed.

Source

• URL: https://x.com/SheriefFYI/status/2032522450622447636
• Author: Sherief, FYI (@SheriefFYI)
• Posted: 2026-03-13 18:21:29

Branch

1/ @SheriefFYI

@valigo

if by “hardware locks” you mean things like x86’s lock prefix then there’s a difference - that guarantees atomicity but unlike SW locks it can’t deadlock etc so forward progress and correctness are both guaranteed. you’re still susceptible to False Sharing etc

2/ @valigo

@SheriefFYI

There’s a difference, yes, but calling them “lock-free” feels like a marketing shtick still. Kinda like “UB”. Maybe I’m too autistic, so to speak, but I don’t like when words do not mean what they supposed to mean, even though I sometimes do the same.

Related

• Spine: 2026-03-13-human-nature-is-to-oversell-things