How can I use smart pointers for error handling in C++?

How can I use smart pointers for error handling in C++?

You can use smart pointers like std::unique_ptr and std::shared_ptr to manage resource lifetimes and handle errors gracefully.

Can you give me an example of how to implement this?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

#include <iostream>
#include <memory>

void riskyFunction() {
    throw std::runtime_error("An error occurred!");
}

int main() {
    try {
        std::unique_ptr<int> ptr(new int(10));
        riskyFunction();
    } catch (const std::exception& e) {
        std::cerr << "Error: " << e.what() << std::endl;
    }
    return 0;
}

In this example, if riskyFunction throws an error, the smart pointer will automatically clean up.

What happens if I use a raw pointer instead?

If you use a raw pointer and an exception is thrown, you may end up with a memory leak because the raw pointer won't be automatically deleted. Smart pointers help prevent this.

Are there any performance concerns with using smart pointers?

Generally, smart pointers have a slight overhead compared to raw pointers, but they provide better safety and manageability, which often outweighs the performance cost.