What are weak pointers in C++11?

Can you explain what weak pointers are in C++11?

Sure! Weak pointers are a type of smart pointer in C++11 that do not own the object they point to. They are used to break circular references.

How do weak pointers differ from shared pointers?

Weak pointers do not increase the reference count of the object, while shared pointers do. This helps prevent memory leaks.

When should I use weak pointers?

You should use weak pointers when you want to observe an object managed by a shared pointer without affecting its lifetime.

Can you give an example of using weak pointers?

Certainly! For instance, in a parent-child relationship, the parent can hold a shared pointer to the child, while the child holds a weak pointer to the parent.