What are the differences between unique_ptr and shared_ptr in C++?

What are the differences between unique_ptr and shared_ptr in C++?

unique_ptr is a smart pointer that owns a dynamically allocated object exclusively, while shared_ptr allows multiple pointers to share ownership of the same object.

When should I use unique_ptr instead of shared_ptr?

You should use unique_ptr when you want sole ownership of an object and don't need to share it, which can improve performance.

Can you give an example of when to use shared_ptr?

Sure! Use shared_ptr when you have multiple objects that need to access the same resource, like in a graph structure.

Are there any downsides to using shared_ptr?

Yes, shared_ptr has overhead due to reference counting, which can lead to performance issues and potential circular references.