What are some unique pointer examples in C++?

What are some unique pointer examples in C++?

Unique pointers in C++ are smart pointers that ensure a single ownership of a dynamically allocated object. Here are a few examples:

1. Creating a unique pointer:

   std::unique_ptr<int> ptr = std::make_unique<int>(10);
   

2. Transferring ownership:

   std::unique_ptr<int> ptr1 = std::make_unique<int>(20);
   std::unique_ptr<int> ptr2 = std::move(ptr1);
   

3. Using unique pointers in a class:

   class MyClass {
       std::unique_ptr<int> data;
   public:
       MyClass() : data(std::make_unique<int>(5)) {}
   };
   

Can you explain the difference between unique_ptr and shared_ptr?

Certainly! The main difference is ownership:

• unique_ptr: Only one unique pointer can own a resource at a time. It cannot be copied, only moved.
• shared_ptr: Multiple shared pointers can own the same resource. It uses reference counting to manage the resource's lifetime.

When should I use unique_ptr instead of raw pointers?

You should use unique_ptr instead of raw pointers when you want to ensure automatic memory management and avoid memory leaks. It automatically deallocates the memory when it goes out of scope, making your code safer and cleaner.

Are there any performance implications of using unique_ptr?

Using unique_ptr has minimal performance overhead compared to raw pointers. The benefits of automatic memory management and safety often outweigh the slight performance cost, especially in complex applications.