What are RAII patterns in C++?

What are RAII patterns in C++?

RAII stands for Resource Acquisition Is Initialization. It's a programming idiom used in C++ to manage resource allocation and deallocation.

Can you give me an example of RAII in action?

Sure! A common example is using smart pointers like std::unique_ptr or std::shared_ptr, which automatically manage memory.

How does RAII help prevent memory leaks?

RAII ensures that resources are released when an object goes out of scope, thus preventing memory leaks by automatically calling destructors.

Are there any downsides to using RAII?

One downside is that it can lead to increased complexity in some cases, especially when dealing with exceptions or resource ownership.