How do I use shared_ptr in C++?

How do I use shared_ptr in C++?

You can use std::shared_ptr to manage shared ownership of an object. It automatically deallocates memory when no references remain.

Can you show me a simple example?

Sure! Here's a basic example:

#include <iostream>
#include <memory>

int main() {
    std::shared_ptr<int> ptr1 = std::make_shared<int>(10);
    std::cout << *ptr1 << std::endl; // Outputs: 10
    {
        std::shared_ptr<int> ptr2 = ptr1; // Shared ownership
        std::cout << *ptr2 << std::endl; // Outputs: 10
    } // ptr2 goes out of scope here
    std::cout << *ptr1 << std::endl; // Still valid: Outputs: 10
}

This creates a shared pointer to an integer.

What happens when the last shared_ptr goes out of scope?

When the last shared_ptr pointing to an object goes out of scope, the memory is automatically deallocated, preventing memory leaks.

Are there any downsides to using shared_ptr?

Yes, while shared_ptr simplifies memory management, it can introduce overhead due to reference counting and may lead to circular references if not managed properly.