When should I use unique_ptr instead of shared_ptr?

When should I use unique_ptr instead of shared_ptr?

You should use unique_ptr when you want sole ownership of a resource, and shared_ptr when multiple owners are needed.

Can you explain the differences in memory management between the two?

Sure! unique_ptr automatically deletes the resource when it goes out of scope, while shared_ptr uses reference counting to manage shared ownership.

Are there any performance implications of using shared_ptr?

Yes, shared_ptr has overhead due to reference counting, which can impact performance compared to unique_ptr.

In what scenarios would shared_ptr be the better choice?

shared_ptr is better when you need to share ownership across multiple parts of your program, like in a complex data structure.