What are smart pointers in C++11 and how do I use them?

What are smart pointers in C++11?

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

Can you explain the different types of smart pointers?

Sure! The main types are std::unique_ptr, std::shared_ptr, and std::weak_ptr, each serving different ownership models.

How do I use std::unique_ptr?

You can create a std::unique_ptr using std::make_unique<T>() which ensures that the memory is automatically freed when it goes out of scope.

What happens if I try to copy a std::unique_ptr?

You cannot copy a std::unique_ptr because it has exclusive ownership. However, you can transfer ownership using std::move.