Back to Basics: C++ Smart Pointers - David Olsen - CppCon 2022

Simplify your C++ code, avoid memory leaks, and master smart pointers with expert David Olsen, covering best practices for unique_ptr, shared_ptr, and more at CppCon 2022.

Key takeaways

Use make_unique or make_shared whenever possible to simplify code and avoid memory leaks.
Smart pointers can help with cleanup, but don’t rely solely on them.
Always be mindful of ownership and who is responsible for freeing memory.
Avoid using raw pointers unless necessary.
Use unique_ptr for ownership, but not sharing.
Use shared_ptr for shared ownership, but not transfer of ownership.
Avoid pointers to single objects and arrays, instead use smart pointers.
Null pointers are not the same as smart pointers.

Back to Basics: C++ Smart Pointers - David Olsen - CppCon 2022

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