What are some weak pointer use cases in C++?

What are some weak pointer use cases in C++?

Weak pointers in C++ are used to prevent circular references in shared pointers. They allow you to reference an object without owning it.

Can you give me an example of where I might use a weak pointer?

Sure! A common use case is in observer patterns, where you want to keep track of observers without preventing them from being destroyed.

What happens if I try to access a weak pointer after the object is deleted?

If you access a weak pointer after the object is deleted, it will return a null pointer. You should always check if it's valid before using it.

Are there any performance implications of using weak pointers?

Weak pointers have a slight overhead compared to raw pointers, but they help manage memory more safely, which can be worth it.