In modern C++, uniform initialization syntax can be used to create and initialize objects using braces ({}) instead of traditional constructor syntax. This syntax is concise and also applies to smart pointers like std::shared_ptr. In this article, we will explore how to use uniform initialization with std::shared_ptr in C++.

Initializing std::shared_ptr with uniform initialization

To initialize a std::shared_ptr using uniform initialization, you can simply enclose the object you want to manage in braces and pass it as an argument to the constructor. Consider the following example:

#include <iostream>
#include <memory>

class MyClass {
public:
    MyClass() {
        std::cout << "MyClass Constructor" << std::endl;
    }
    
    ~MyClass() {
        std::cout << "MyClass Destructor" << std::endl;
    }
};

int main() {
    std::shared_ptr<MyClass> ptr{new MyClass()};
    
    // Accessing the managed object
    ptr->doSomething();
    
    // The destructor will be called automatically
    return 0;
}

In the above code, we are creating a std::shared_ptr named ptr using uniform initialization. We pass a new instance of MyClass enclosed in braces as an argument to the std::shared_ptr constructor. The managed object will be automatically deleted when it’s no longer referenced.

Benefits of using uniform initialization with std::shared_ptr

Using uniform initialization with std::shared_ptr offers several benefits:

1. Clarity and readability: The use of braces to initialize std::shared_ptr makes the initialization syntax clearer and more consistent with other types of objects.
2. Avoiding ambiguity: Uniform initialization explicitly shows that you are initializing a std::shared_ptr and not attempting to perform other operations like assignment.
3. Consistent with modern C++: Uniform initialization is a feature introduced in C++11, and using it with std::shared_ptr follows the modern C++ programming style.

Conclusion

Uniform initialization provides a concise and clear way to initialize std::shared_ptr objects in C++. It enhances code readability and ensures that you are explicitly initializing a std::shared_ptr. By using uniform initialization, you can leverage the benefits of modern C++ and write cleaner code.

References:

• C++ shared_ptr - uniform initialization