Mastering Smart Pointers - unique_ptr

A Practical Guide to Safe and Modern Memory Management with unique_ptr in C++

What you'll learn
- Understand the fundamentals of dynamic memory allocation in C++
- Master the use of unique_ptr for efficient and safe resource management
- Apply advanced concepts such as custom deleters, PIMPL idiom & object pools
- Ensure exception safety and resource cleanup using smart pointer best practices

Requirements
- Basic knowledge of C++ syntax and programming concepts
- Understanding of pointers and references in C++

Description
This comprehensive course provides an in-depth exploration of modern memory management in C++, with an emphasis on masteringunique_ptr. Designed for developers familiar with basic C++ syntax, the course bridges the gap between traditional manual memory allocation techniques and robust, exception-safe smart pointer usage that empowers modern C++ applications.

You will start with a foundational understanding of dynamic memory allocation, delving into functions likemalloc,calloc, andrealloc, and exposing common pitfalls, such as uninitialized memory bugs. Progress through modern C++ allocation usingnew, including its nuances, error handling, array management, and advanced placement techniques.

Explore the evolution from deprecated pointers such asauto_ptrto the type-safe and resource-managing smart pointers introduced in C++11. The heart of the course focuses onunique_ptr: its basic and advanced usage, function signatures, pass-by-value and pass-by-const-reference patterns, and application as parameter and return types. Uncover howunique_ptrprevents dangling pointers, boosts exception safety, integrates with containers, and leverages helper functions likemake_unique.

Dive even further as you examine advanced idioms such as the PIMPL (Pointer to IMPLementation) pattern and custom deleters, illustrating how to manage resources with precision in real-world scenarios. Finally, you'll get to apply these skills by building and optimizing an object pool, both with and without pooling strategies.

Who this course is for:
- C++ programmers who want to master modern memory management techniques
- Developers transitioning from raw pointers to smart pointers like unique_ptr
- Students and professionals looking to write safer, more efficient C++ code
- Anyone aiming to strengthen their understanding of resource management and exception safety
- Engineers preparing for technical interviews or real-world C++ projects where smart pointers are widely used
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