Can you give me examples of smart pointers in C++ projects?

Can you give me examples of smart pointers in C++ projects?

Sure! Smart pointers in C++ help manage memory automatically. For example, using std::unique_ptr for resource management in a game engine can prevent memory leaks.

How would I use std::shared_ptr in a multi-threaded application?

In a multi-threaded application, std::shared_ptr allows multiple threads to share ownership of an object. Just ensure proper synchronization when accessing the shared resource.

Can you show me a code snippet using std::weak_ptr?

Certainly! Here's a simple example:

#include <iostream>
#include <memory>

class Resource {
public:
    Resource() { std::cout << "Resource acquired" << std::endl; }
    ~Resource() { std::cout << "Resource destroyed" << std::endl; }
};

int main() {
    std::shared_ptr<Resource> res = std::make_shared<Resource>();
    std::weak_ptr<Resource> weakRes = res;
    if (auto shared = weakRes.lock()) {
        std::cout << "Resource is still alive" << std::endl;
    }
    return 0;
}

What are the advantages of using smart pointers over raw pointers?

Smart pointers automatically manage memory, reducing the risk of leaks and dangling pointers. They also provide better exception safety and clearer ownership semantics.