I'm currently porting a Windows C++ library to MacOS as a hobby project as a learning experience. I stumbled across some code using the Win Interlocked* functions and thus I've been trying to read up on the subject in general.

Reading related questions here in SO, I understand there are different ways to do these operations depending on the OS. Interlocked* in Windows, OSAtomic* in MacOS and I also found that compilers have builtin (intrinsic) operations for this.

After reading gcc builtin atomic memory access, I'm left wondering what is the difference between intrinsic and the OSAtomic* or Interlocked* ones? I mean, can I not choose between OSAtomic* or gcc builtin if I'm on MacOS when I use gcc? The same if I'd be on Windows using gcc.

I also read that on Windows Interlocked* come as both inline and intrinsic versions. What to consider when choosing between intrinsic or inline?

In general, are there multiple options on OSs what to use? Or is this again "it depends"? If so, what does it depend on?

Thanks!