What are shared pointers in C++?

What are shared pointers in C++?

Shared pointers are a type of smart pointer in C++ that manage the lifetime of an object through reference counting.

How do they differ from raw pointers?

Unlike raw pointers, shared pointers automatically handle memory management, preventing memory leaks by ensuring the object is deleted when no references remain.

Can you show me a simple example of using shared pointers?

Sure! Here's a basic example:

#include <iostream>
#include <memory>

int main() {
    std::shared_ptr<int> ptr1 = std::make_shared<int>(10);
    std::shared_ptr<int> ptr2 = ptr1;
    std::cout << *ptr1 << " " << *ptr2 << std::endl; // Outputs: 10 10
    return 0;
}

What happens if I try to access a shared pointer after it's been deleted?

Accessing a shared pointer after its object has been deleted results in undefined behavior, which can lead to crashes or data corruption.