What are the best practices for using shared pointers in C++?

What are the best practices for using shared pointers in C++?

When using shared pointers in C++, it's important to avoid circular references, use make_shared for efficiency, and ensure proper ownership semantics.

Can you explain why circular references are a problem?

Circular references can lead to memory leaks because the reference count never reaches zero, preventing the memory from being freed.

How does make_shared improve performance?

make_shared allocates memory for both the object and the control block in a single allocation, reducing overhead and improving cache locality.

Are there situations where I should avoid using shared pointers?

Yes, avoid using shared pointers in performance-critical sections or when you don't need shared ownership; consider using unique pointers instead.

What are unique pointers and how do they differ from shared pointers?

Unique pointers are used for exclusive ownership of an object, meaning only one unique pointer can own the object at a time, unlike shared pointers.