C++ How to Program, 5/e

ISBN: 0-13-185757-6 © 2005 pages: 1500 Buy the Book!

One of the most common programming errors among C and C++ programmers occurs when dynamic memory allocated with new is not deallocated properly with delete, which causes dangerous memory leaks in applications. This tutorial presents the C++ standard library class template auto_ptr, which helps programmers manage dynamic memory. An auto_ptr object "looks like" a pointer (i.e., it has the same semantics), but when it goes out of scope it automatically deletes the dynamic memory it manages. Thus, auto_ptrs help defend against memory leaks. auto_ptr objects also provide a means to transfer ownership of dynamic memory. This tutorial is intended for students and professionals who are already familiar with C++ memory management and know how to create objects with class templates.

Download the code examples for this tutorial.

[Note: This tutorial is an excerpt (Section 16.12) of Chapter 16, Exception Handling, from our textbook C++ How to Program, 5/e. These tutorials may refer to other chapters or sections of the book that are not included here. Permission Information: Deitel, Harvey M. and Paul J., C++ HOW TO PROGRAM, ©2005, pp.829-832. Electronically reproduced by permission of Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.]

16.12 Class auto_ptr and Dynamic Memory Allocation (Continued)

 1  // Fig. 16.10: Fig16_10.cpp
 2  // Demonstrating auto_ptr.
 3  #include <iostream>
 4  using std::cout;
 5  using std::endl;
 6
 7  #include <memory>
 8  using std::auto_ptr; // auto_ptr class definition
 9
10  #include "Integer.h"
11
12  // use auto_ptr to manipulate Integer object
13  int main()
14  {
15     cout << "Creating an auto_ptr object that points to an Integer\n";
16
17     // "aim" auto_ptr at Integer object
18     auto_ptr< Integer > ptrToInteger( new Integer( 7 ) );
19
20     cout << "\nUsing the auto_ptr to manipulate the Integer\n";
21     ptrToInteger->setInteger( 99 ); // use auto_ptr to set Integer value
22
23     // use auto_ptr to get Integer value
24     cout << "Integer after setInteger: " << ( *ptrToInteger ).getInteger()
25     return 0;
26  } // end main

 Creating an auto_ptr object that points to an Integer
 Constructor for Integer 7

 Using the auto_ptr to manipulate the Integer
 Integer after setInteger: 99

 Terminating program
 Destructor for Integer 99

Fig. 16.10 auto_ptr object manages dynamically allocated memory.

An auto_ptr can pass ownership of the dynamic memory it manages via its overloaded assignment operator or copy constructor. The last auto_ptr object that maintains the pointer to the dynamic memory will delete the memory. This makes auto_ptr an ideal mechanism for returning dynamically allocated memory to client code. When the auto_ptr goes out of scope in the client code, the auto_ptr’s destructor deletes the dynamic memory.

	Software Engineering Observation 16.9
	An auto_ptr has restrictions on certain operations. For example, an auto_ptr cannot point to an array or a standard-container class.