std::unique_ptr::operator*

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< cpplrm; | memorylrm; | unique ptr
Dynamic memory management
Uninitialized storage
(C++17)
Garbage collection support
Miscellaneous
(C++20)
(C++11)
(C++11)
C Library
Low level memory management
typename std::add_lvalue_reference<T>::type operator*() const;
(1) (since C++11)
pointer operator->() const noexcept;
(2) (since C++11)

operator* and operator-> provide access to the object owned by *this.

The behavior is undefined if get() == nullptr

Parameters

(none)

Return value

1) Returns the object owned by *this, equivalent to *get().

2) Returns a pointer to the object owned by *this, i.e. get().

Exceptions

1) may throw, e.g. if pointer defines a throwing operator*


Example

#include <iostream>
#include <memory>

struct Foo {
    void bar() { std::cout << "Foo::bar\n"; }
};

void f(const Foo& foo) 
{
    std::cout << "f(const Foo&)\n";
}

int main() 
{
    std::unique_ptr<Foo> ptr(new Foo);

    ptr->bar();
    f(*ptr);
}

Output:

Foo::bar
f(const Foo&)

See also

returns a pointer to the managed object
(public member function)