Core · Module 5 · Lesson 4 of 6

Smart Pointers: unique_ptr, shared_ptr and weak_ptr

Replace raw owning pointers with unique ownership, shared ownership, and non-owning observers, using make_unique and make_shared throughout.

ProAbout 10 minutes

By the end you can

Transfer exclusive ownership with unique_ptr and move semantics
Share ownership with shared_ptr while tracking the use count
Break cycles with weak_ptr and observe without extending lifetime

Builds on Copy Semantics: Deep Copies and the Rule of Three.

01 · A question first

A checkout function allocates a Member, throws on a missing book, and leaks the member on every failure path. Adding a delete before each throw helps until the next early return appears. How can the pointer clean itself up on every path, including the ones you have not written yet?

Make a guess before you read on.

02 · The idea

Members only

Unlock the full lesson

This lesson is part of the membership. Join to read it in full, along with every other premium deep dive.

What's inside

Why raw ownership resists inspection
How exclusive ownership moves
How shared ownership counts
What it costs and when to avoid sharing
Original cast examples
Where it is used