What are the best practices for managing object lifetime in C++?

What are the best practices for managing object lifetime in C++?

Managing object lifetime in C++ involves using smart pointers, RAII, and understanding scope. Would you like details on these?

Yes, please explain RAII and how it helps with object lifetime.

RAII stands for Resource Acquisition Is Initialization. It ensures that resources are tied to object lifetime, automatically releasing them when the object goes out of scope.

What are smart pointers and how do they differ from regular pointers?

Smart pointers, like std::unique_ptr and std::shared_ptr, manage memory automatically, preventing leaks and dangling pointers. Unlike regular pointers, they handle ownership and lifetime.

Can you give an example of using a smart pointer in a C++ program?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

#include <memory>

void example() {
    std::unique_ptr<int> ptr = std::make_unique<int>(10);
    // ptr will automatically be deleted when it goes out of scope
}