What are smart pointers in C++ and how do I use them?

What are smart pointers in C++?

Smart pointers are objects that manage the lifetime of dynamically allocated memory, ensuring proper resource management.

How do I use a unique_ptr?

You can use std::unique_ptr to manage a single object. It automatically deletes the object when it goes out of scope.

Can you give me an example of using shared_ptr?

Sure! std::shared_ptr allows multiple pointers to share ownership of an object. Here's a simple example:

#include <memory>

std::shared_ptr<int> ptr1 = std::make_shared<int>(10);
std::shared_ptr<int> ptr2 = ptr1; // Now both ptr1 and ptr2 own the integer.

What are the advantages of using smart pointers over raw pointers?

Smart pointers help prevent memory leaks and dangling pointers by automatically managing memory, making your code safer and cleaner.