std::auto_ptr

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< cpplrm; | memory
Dynamic memory management
Uninitialized storage
(C++17)
Garbage collection support
Miscellaneous
(C++20)
(C++11)
(C++11)
C Library
Low level memory management
Defined in header <memory>
template< class T > class auto_ptr;
(1) (deprecated in C++11)
(removed in C++17)
template<> class auto_ptr<void>;
(2) (deprecated in C++11)
(removed in C++17)

auto_ptr is a smart pointer that manages an object obtained via new expression and deletes that object when auto_ptr itself is destroyed. It may be used to provide exception safety for dynamically-allocated objects, for passing ownership of dynamically-allocated objects into functions and for returning dynamically-allocated objects from functions.

Copying an auto_ptr copies the pointer and transfers ownership to the destination: both copy construction and copy assignment of auto_ptr modify their right hand arguments, and the "copy" is not equal to the original. Because of these unusual copy semantics, auto_ptr may not be placed in standard containers. std::unique_ptr is preferred for this and other uses. (since C++11)

2) Specialization for type void is provided, it declares the typedef element_type, but no member functions.

An additional class template auto_ptr_ref is referred to throughout the documentation. It is an implementation-defined type that holds a reference to auto_ptr. The implementation is allowed to provide the template with a different name or implement the functions returning it or accepting it as parameter in other ways.

Member types

Member type Definition
element_type T

Member functions

creates a new auto_ptr
(public member function)
destroys an auto_ptr and the managed object
(public member function)
transfers ownership from another auto_ptr
(public member function)
converts the managed pointer to a pointer to different type
(public member function)
Observers
returns a pointer to the managed object
(public member function)
accesses the managed object
(public member function)
Modifiers
destroys the managed object
(public member function)
releases ownership of the managed object
(public member function)