Raw Pointers vs Smart Pointers in C++

What are the main differences between raw pointers and smart pointers in C++?

Raw pointers are simple memory addresses, while smart pointers manage memory automatically, preventing leaks.

Can you explain how smart pointers help with memory management?

Smart pointers, like std::unique_ptr and std::shared_ptr, automatically deallocate memory when they go out of scope.

Are there any performance drawbacks to using smart pointers?

Smart pointers can introduce slight overhead due to reference counting, but they greatly reduce memory management errors.

When should I prefer using raw pointers over smart pointers?

Use raw pointers for performance-critical code where ownership semantics are clear and managed manually.