When should I use shared_ptr?

What is shared_ptr and when should I use it?

shared_ptr is a smart pointer in C++ that manages the lifetime of an object through reference counting. You should use it when you want multiple owners of a resource, ensuring that the resource is automatically freed when the last owner is done with it.

Can you give me an example of when to use shared_ptr?

Sure! If you have a situation where multiple objects need to share ownership of a dynamically allocated object, like in a graph structure where nodes point to shared children, shared_ptr is ideal.

Are there any downsides to using shared_ptr?

Yes, using shared_ptr can introduce overhead due to reference counting and can lead to circular references if not managed properly, which can cause memory leaks.

When should I prefer unique_ptr over shared_ptr?

You should prefer unique_ptr when you want sole ownership of a resource, as it has lower overhead and avoids the risks of circular references.