How does memory management work in the C++ Standard Library?

How does memory management work in the C++ Standard Library?

In C++, memory management is primarily handled through dynamic allocation and deallocation using the new and delete operators, as well as smart pointers like std::unique_ptr and std::shared_ptr.

What are smart pointers and how do they help with memory management?

Smart pointers are wrapper classes that manage the lifetime of dynamically allocated objects. They automatically deallocate memory when it's no longer needed, preventing memory leaks.

Can you explain the difference between std::unique_ptr and std::shared_ptr?

Certainly! std::unique_ptr provides exclusive ownership of an object, meaning only one unique_ptr can own it at a time. std::shared_ptr, on the other hand, allows multiple pointers to share ownership of an object, using reference counting to manage its lifetime.

Are there any performance implications when using smart pointers?

Yes, using std::shared_ptr can introduce overhead due to reference counting, while std::unique_ptr is lightweight. It's important to choose the right type based on your use case.