What are the performance implications of using smart pointers in C++?

What are the performance implications of using smart pointers in C++?

Smart pointers in C++ manage memory automatically, but they can introduce overhead due to reference counting and additional indirection.

How do smart pointers compare to raw pointers in terms of performance?

Raw pointers are faster since they have no overhead, but they require manual memory management, which can lead to leaks or undefined behavior.

Are there specific scenarios where smart pointers are more beneficial despite the performance cost?

Yes, in scenarios where memory safety and automatic resource management are critical, smart pointers can prevent memory leaks and dangling pointers.

What types of smart pointers are available in C++?

C++ offers several types of smart pointers, including std::unique_ptr, std::shared_ptr, and std::weak_ptr, each serving different use cases.