What are some advanced examples of smart pointers in C++?

What are some advanced examples of smart pointers in C++?

Smart pointers in C++ help manage dynamic memory. Examples include std::unique_ptr, std::shared_ptr, and std::weak_ptr.

Can you explain how std::shared_ptr works with reference counting?

Sure! std::shared_ptr uses reference counting to manage the lifetime of an object. When a shared pointer is copied, the reference count increases. When a shared pointer is destroyed, the count decreases. When it reaches zero, the object is deleted.

What are the advantages of using std::unique_ptr over raw pointers?

std::unique_ptr ensures that there is only one owner of the resource, preventing memory leaks and dangling pointers. It also automatically deallocates memory when it goes out of scope.

Can you give an example of using std::weak_ptr?

Certainly! std::weak_ptr is used to break circular references. For example, in a graph structure, if two nodes point to each other, using weak_ptr prevents memory leaks by not increasing the reference count.