A Practical Guide to Safe and Modern Memory Management with unique_ptr in C++
This comprehensive course provides an in-depth exploration of modern memory management in C++, with an emphasis on mastering unique_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.
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.
Course Content
- Introduction –> 3 lectures • 1min.
- C Allocation Routines –> 6 lectures • 25min.
- C++ Allocation Routines –> 8 lectures • 45min.
- Smart Pointers –> 2 lectures • 8min.
- std::unique_ptr –> 4 lectures • 22min.
- Replacing Raw Pointers –> 6 lectures • 25min.
- Deleters –> 7 lectures • 35min.
- Make Functions –> 4 lectures • 17min.
- Pointer to IMPLementation –> 3 lectures • 12min.
- Project –> 4 lectures • 21min.
- Advanced Concepts –> 7 lectures • 37min.
Requirements
This comprehensive course provides an in-depth exploration of modern memory management in C++, with an emphasis on mastering unique_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 like malloc, calloc, and realloc, and exposing common pitfalls, such as uninitialized memory bugs. Progress through modern C++ allocation using new, including its nuances, error handling, array management, and advanced placement techniques.
Explore the evolution from deprecated pointers such as auto_ptr to the type-safe and resource-managing smart pointers introduced in C++11. The heart of the course focuses on unique_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 how unique_ptr prevents dangling pointers, boosts exception safety, integrates with containers, and leverages helper functions like make_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.