What are smart pointers in C++ and how do I use them?

What are smart pointers in C++?

Smart pointers are objects that manage the lifetime of dynamically allocated memory, ensuring proper resource management.

How do I use std::unique_ptr?

You can use std::unique_ptr to ensure that a dynamically allocated object is automatically deleted when it goes out of scope. For example:

std::unique_ptr<MyClass> ptr = std::make_unique<MyClass>();

What is the difference between std::shared_ptr and std::weak_ptr?

std::shared_ptr allows multiple pointers to share ownership of an object, while std::weak_ptr provides a non-owning reference to an object managed by std::shared_ptr, preventing circular references.

Can you give an example of when to use smart pointers?

Use smart pointers when you want to manage dynamic memory automatically, such as in resource management for objects that have complex lifetimes.