20 General utilities library [utilities]

20.11 Smart pointers [smartptr]

20.11.2 Shared-ownership pointers [util.smartptr]

20.11.2.2 Class template shared_ptr [util.smartptr.shared]

The shared_ptr class template stores a pointer, usually obtained via new. shared_ptr implements semantics of shared ownership; the last remaining owner of the pointer is responsible for destroying the object, or otherwise releasing the resources associated with the stored pointer. A shared_ptr object is empty if it does not own a pointer.

namespace std {
  template<class T> class shared_ptr {
  public:
    using element_type = remove_extent_t<T>;
    using weak_type    = weak_ptr<T>;

    // [util.smartptr.shared.const], constructors
    constexpr shared_ptr() noexcept;
    template<class Y> explicit shared_ptr(Y* p);
    template<class Y, class D> shared_ptr(Y* p, D d);
    template<class Y, class D, class A> shared_ptr(Y* p, D d, A a);
    template <class D> shared_ptr(nullptr_t p, D d);
    template <class D, class A> shared_ptr(nullptr_t p, D d, A a);
    template<class Y> shared_ptr(const shared_ptr<Y>& r, element_type* p) noexcept;
    shared_ptr(const shared_ptr& r) noexcept;
    template<class Y> shared_ptr(const shared_ptr<Y>& r) noexcept;
    shared_ptr(shared_ptr&& r) noexcept;
    template<class Y> shared_ptr(shared_ptr<Y>&& r) noexcept;
    template<class Y> explicit shared_ptr(const weak_ptr<Y>& r);
    template <class Y, class D> shared_ptr(unique_ptr<Y, D>&& r);
    constexpr shared_ptr(nullptr_t) noexcept : shared_ptr() { }

    // [util.smartptr.shared.dest], destructor
    ~shared_ptr();

    // [util.smartptr.shared.assign], assignment
    shared_ptr& operator=(const shared_ptr& r) noexcept;
    template<class Y> shared_ptr& operator=(const shared_ptr<Y>& r) noexcept;
    shared_ptr& operator=(shared_ptr&& r) noexcept;
    template<class Y> shared_ptr& operator=(shared_ptr<Y>&& r) noexcept;
    template <class Y, class D> shared_ptr& operator=(unique_ptr<Y, D>&& r);

    // [util.smartptr.shared.mod], modifiers
    void swap(shared_ptr& r) noexcept;
    void reset() noexcept;
    template<class Y> void reset(Y* p);
    template<class Y, class D> void reset(Y* p, D d);
    template<class Y, class D, class A> void reset(Y* p, D d, A a);

    // [util.smartptr.shared.obs], observers
    element_type* get() const noexcept;
    T& operator*() const noexcept;
    T* operator->() const noexcept;
    element_type& operator[](ptrdiff_t i) const;
    long use_count() const noexcept;
    explicit operator bool() const noexcept;
    template<class U> bool owner_before(const shared_ptr<U>& b) const;
    template<class U> bool owner_before(const weak_ptr<U>& b) const;
  };

  // [util.smartptr.shared.create], shared_ptr creation
  template<class T, class... Args> shared_ptr<T> make_shared(Args&&... args);
  template<class T, class A, class... Args>
    shared_ptr<T> allocate_shared(const A& a, Args&&... args);

  // [util.smartptr.shared.cmp], shared_ptr comparisons
  template<class T, class U>
    bool operator==(const shared_ptr<T>& a, const shared_ptr<U>& b) noexcept;
  template<class T, class U>
    bool operator!=(const shared_ptr<T>& a, const shared_ptr<U>& b) noexcept;
  template<class T, class U>
    bool operator<(const shared_ptr<T>& a, const shared_ptr<U>& b) noexcept;
  template<class T, class U>
    bool operator>(const shared_ptr<T>& a, const shared_ptr<U>& b) noexcept;
  template<class T, class U>
    bool operator<=(const shared_ptr<T>& a, const shared_ptr<U>& b) noexcept;
  template<class T, class U>
    bool operator>=(const shared_ptr<T>& a, const shared_ptr<U>& b) noexcept;

  template <class T>
    bool operator==(const shared_ptr<T>& a, nullptr_t) noexcept;
  template <class T>
    bool operator==(nullptr_t, const shared_ptr<T>& b) noexcept;
  template <class T>
    bool operator!=(const shared_ptr<T>& a, nullptr_t) noexcept;
  template <class T>
    bool operator!=(nullptr_t, const shared_ptr<T>& b) noexcept;
  template <class T>
    bool operator<(const shared_ptr<T>& a, nullptr_t) noexcept;
  template <class T>
    bool operator<(nullptr_t, const shared_ptr<T>& b) noexcept;
  template <class T>
    bool operator<=(const shared_ptr<T>& a, nullptr_t) noexcept;
  template <class T>
    bool operator<=(nullptr_t, const shared_ptr<T>& b) noexcept;
  template <class T>
    bool operator>(const shared_ptr<T>& a, nullptr_t) noexcept;
  template <class T>
    bool operator>(nullptr_t, const shared_ptr<T>& b) noexcept;
  template <class T>
    bool operator>=(const shared_ptr<T>& a, nullptr_t) noexcept;
  template <class T>
    bool operator>=(nullptr_t, const shared_ptr<T>& b) noexcept;

  // [util.smartptr.shared.spec], shared_ptr specialized algorithms
  template<class T> void swap(shared_ptr<T>& a, shared_ptr<T>& b) noexcept;

  // [util.smartptr.shared.cast], shared_ptr casts
  template<class T, class U>
    shared_ptr<T> static_pointer_cast(const shared_ptr<U>& r) noexcept;
  template<class T, class U>
    shared_ptr<T> dynamic_pointer_cast(const shared_ptr<U>& r) noexcept;
  template<class T, class U>
    shared_ptr<T> const_pointer_cast(const shared_ptr<U>& r) noexcept;
  template<class T, class U>
    shared_ptr<T> reinterpret_pointer_cast(const shared_ptr<U>& r) noexcept;

  // [util.smartptr.getdeleter], shared_ptr get_deleter
  template<class D, class T> D* get_deleter(const shared_ptr<T>& p) noexcept;

  // [util.smartptr.shared.io], shared_ptr I/O
  template<class E, class T, class Y>
    basic_ostream<E, T>& operator<< (basic_ostream<E, T>& os, const shared_ptr<Y>& p);
}

Specializations of shared_ptr shall be CopyConstructible, CopyAssignable, and LessThanComparable, allowing their use in standard containers. Specializations of shared_ptr shall be contextually convertible to bool, allowing their use in boolean expressions and declarations in conditions. The template parameter T of shared_ptr may be an incomplete type.

Example:

if (shared_ptr<X> px = dynamic_pointer_cast<X>(py)) {
  // do something with px
}

 — end example ]

For purposes of determining the presence of a data race, member functions shall access and modify only the shared_ptr and weak_ptr objects themselves and not objects they refer to. Changes in use_count() do not reflect modifications that can introduce data races.

For the purposes of subclause [util.smartptr], a pointer type Y* is said to be compatible with a pointer type T* when either Y* is convertible to T* or Y is U[N] and T is cv U[].

20.11.2.2.1 shared_ptr constructors [util.smartptr.shared.const]

In the constructor definitions below, enables shared_from_this with p, for a pointer p of type Y*, means that if Y has an unambiguous and accessible base class that is a specialization of enable_shared_from_this ([util.smartptr.enab]), then remove_cv_t<Y>* shall be implicitly convertible to T* and the constructor evaluates the statement:

if (p != nullptr && p->weak_this.expired())
  p->weak_this = shared_ptr<remove_cv_t<Y>>(*this, const_cast<remove_cv_t<Y>*>(p));

The assignment to the weak_this member is not atomic and conflicts with any potentially concurrent access to the same object ([intro.multithread]).

constexpr shared_ptr() noexcept;

Effects: Constructs an empty shared_ptr object.

Postconditions: use_count() == 0 && get() == nullptr.

template<class Y> explicit shared_ptr(Y* p);

Requires: Y shall be a complete type. The expression delete[] p, when T is an array type, or delete p, when T is not an array type, shall be well formed, shall have well defined behavior, and shall not throw exceptions. When T is U[N], Y(*)[N] shall be convertible to T*; when T is U[], Y(*)[] shall be convertible to T*; otherwise, Y* shall be convertible to T*.

Effects: When T is not an array type, constructs a shared_ptr object that owns the pointer p. Otherwise, constructs a shared_ptr that owns p and a deleter of an unspecified type that calls delete[] p. When T is not an array type, enables shared_from_this with p. If an exception is thrown, delete p is called when T is not an array type, delete[] p otherwise.

Postconditions: use_count() == 1 && get() == p.

Throws: bad_alloc, or an implementation-defined exception when a resource other than memory could not be obtained.

template<class Y, class D> shared_ptr(Y* p, D d); template<class Y, class D, class A> shared_ptr(Y* p, D d, A a); template <class D> shared_ptr(nullptr_t p, D d); template <class D, class A> shared_ptr(nullptr_t p, D d, A a);

Requires: D shall be CopyConstructible and such construction shall not throw exceptions. The destructor of D shall not throw exceptions. The expression d(p) shall be well formed, shall have well defined behavior, and shall not throw exceptions. A shall be an allocator ([allocator.requirements]). The copy constructor and destructor of A shall not throw exceptions. When T is U[N], Y(*)[N] shall be convertible to T*; when T is U[], Y(*)[] shall be convertible to T*; otherwise, Y* shall be convertible to T*.

Effects: Constructs a shared_ptr object that owns the object p and the deleter d. When T is not an array type, the first and second constructors enable shared_from_this with p. The second and fourth constructors shall use a copy of a to allocate memory for internal use. If an exception is thrown, d(p) is called.

Postconditions: use_count() == 1 && get() == p.

Throws: bad_alloc, or an implementation-defined exception when a resource other than memory could not be obtained.

template<class Y> shared_ptr(const shared_ptr<Y>& r, element_type* p) noexcept;

Effects: Constructs a shared_ptr instance that stores p and shares ownership with r.

Postconditions: get() == p && use_count() == r.use_count().

Note: To avoid the possibility of a dangling pointer, the user of this constructor must ensure that p remains valid at least until the ownership group of r is destroyed.  — end note ]

Note: This constructor allows creation of an empty shared_ptr instance with a non-null stored pointer.  — end note ]

shared_ptr(const shared_ptr& r) noexcept; template<class Y> shared_ptr(const shared_ptr<Y>& r) noexcept;

Remarks: The second constructor shall not participate in overload resolution unless Y* is compatible with T*.

Effects: If r is empty, constructs an empty shared_ptr object; otherwise, constructs a shared_ptr object that shares ownership with r.

Postconditions: get() == r.get() && use_count() == r.use_count().

shared_ptr(shared_ptr&& r) noexcept; template<class Y> shared_ptr(shared_ptr<Y>&& r) noexcept;

Remarks: The second constructor shall not participate in overload resolution unless Y* is compatible with T*.

Effects: Move constructs a shared_ptr instance from r.

Postconditions: *this shall contain the old value of r. r shall be empty. r.get() == nullptr.

template<class Y> explicit shared_ptr(const weak_ptr<Y>& r);

Requires: Y* shall be compatible with T*.

Effects: Constructs a shared_ptr object that shares ownership with r and stores a copy of the pointer stored in r. If an exception is thrown, the constructor has no effect.

Postconditions: use_count() == r.use_count().

Throws: bad_weak_ptr when r.expired().

template <class Y, class D> shared_ptr(unique_ptr<Y, D>&& r);

Remarks: This constructor shall not participate in overload resolution unless Y* is compatible with T* and unique_ptr<Y, D>::pointer is convertible to element_type*.

Effects: If r.get() == nullptr, equivalent to shared_ptr(). Otherwise, if D is not a reference type, equivalent to shared_ptr(r.release(), r.get_deleter()). Otherwise, equivalent to shared_ptr(r.release(), ref(r.get_deleter())). If an exception is thrown, the constructor has no effect.

20.11.2.2.2 shared_ptr destructor [util.smartptr.shared.dest]

~shared_ptr();

Effects:

  • If *this is empty or shares ownership with another shared_ptr instance (use_count() > 1), there are no side effects.

  • Otherwise, if *this owns an object p and a deleter d, d(p) is called.

  • Otherwise, *this owns a pointer p, and delete p is called.

Note: Since the destruction of *this decreases the number of instances that share ownership with *this by one, after *this has been destroyed all shared_ptr instances that shared ownership with *this will report a use_count() that is one less than its previous value.  — end note ]

20.11.2.2.3 shared_ptr assignment [util.smartptr.shared.assign]

shared_ptr& operator=(const shared_ptr& r) noexcept; template<class Y> shared_ptr& operator=(const shared_ptr<Y>& r) noexcept;

Effects: Equivalent to shared_ptr(r).swap(*this).

Returns: *this.

Note: The use count updates caused by the temporary object construction and destruction are not observable side effects, so the implementation may meet the effects (and the implied guarantees) via different means, without creating a temporary. In particular, in the example:

shared_ptr<int> p(new int);
shared_ptr<void> q(p);
p = p;
q = p;

both assignments may be no-ops.  — end note ]

shared_ptr& operator=(shared_ptr&& r) noexcept; template<class Y> shared_ptr& operator=(shared_ptr<Y>&& r) noexcept;

Effects: Equivalent to shared_ptr(std::move(r)).swap(*this).

Returns: *this.

template <class Y, class D> shared_ptr& operator=(unique_ptr<Y, D>&& r);

Effects: Equivalent to shared_ptr(std::move(r)).swap(*this).

Returns: *this.

20.11.2.2.4 shared_ptr modifiers [util.smartptr.shared.mod]

void swap(shared_ptr& r) noexcept;

Effects: Exchanges the contents of *this and r.

void reset() noexcept;

Effects: Equivalent to shared_ptr().swap(*this).

template<class Y> void reset(Y* p);

Effects: Equivalent to shared_ptr(p).swap(*this).

template<class Y, class D> void reset(Y* p, D d);

Effects: Equivalent to shared_ptr(p, d).swap(*this).

template<class Y, class D, class A> void reset(Y* p, D d, A a);

Effects: Equivalent to shared_ptr(p, d, a).swap(*this).

20.11.2.2.5 shared_ptr observers [util.smartptr.shared.obs]

element_type* get() const noexcept;

Returns: The stored pointer.

T& operator*() const noexcept;

Requires: get() != 0.

Returns: *get().

Remarks: When T is an array type or (possibly cv-qualified) void, it is unspecified whether this member function is declared. If it is declared, it is unspecified what its return type is, except that the declaration (although not necessarily the definition) of the function shall be well formed.

T* operator->() const noexcept;

Requires: get() != 0.

Returns: get().

Remarks: When T is an array type, it is unspecified whether this member function is declared. If it is declared, it is unspecified what its return type is, except that the declaration (although not necessarily the definition) of the function shall be well formed.

element_type& operator[](ptrdiff_t i) const;

Requires: get() != 0 && i >= 0. If T is U[N], i < N.

Returns: get()[i].

Remarks: When T is not an array type, it is unspecified whether this member function is declared. If it is declared, it is unspecified what its return type is, except that the declaration (although not necessarily the definition) of the function shall be well formed.

Throws: Nothing.

long use_count() const noexcept;

Returns: The number of shared_ptr objects, *this included, that share ownership with *this, or 0 when *this is empty.

Synchronization: None.

Note: get() == nullptr does not imply a specific return value of use_count().  — end note ]

Note: weak_ptr<T>::lock() can affect the return value of use_count().  — end note ]

Note: When multiple threads can affect the return value of use_count(), the result should be treated as approximate. In particular, use_count() == 1 does not imply that accesses through a previously destroyed shared_ptr have in any sense completed.  — end note ]

explicit operator bool() const noexcept;

Returns: get() != 0.

template<class U> bool owner_before(const shared_ptr<U>& b) const; template<class U> bool owner_before(const weak_ptr<U>& b) const;

Returns: An unspecified value such that

  • x.owner_before(y) defines a strict weak ordering as defined in [alg.sorting];

  • under the equivalence relation defined by owner_before, !a.owner_before(b) && !b.owner_before(a), two shared_ptr or weak_ptr instances are equivalent if and only if they share ownership or are both empty.

20.11.2.2.6 shared_ptr creation [util.smartptr.shared.create]

template<class T, class... Args> shared_ptr<T> make_shared(Args&&... args); template<class T, class A, class... Args> shared_ptr<T> allocate_shared(const A& a, Args&&... args);

Requires: The expression ::new (pv) T(std::forward<Args>(args)...), where pv has type void* and points to storage suitable to hold an object of type T, shall be well formed. A shall be an allocator ([allocator.requirements]). The copy constructor and destructor of A shall not throw exceptions.

Effects: Allocates memory suitable for an object of type T and constructs an object in that memory via the placement new-expression ::new (pv) T(std::forward<Args>(args)...). The template allocate_shared uses a copy of a to allocate memory. If an exception is thrown, the functions have no effect.

Returns: A shared_ptr instance that stores and owns the address of the newly constructed object of type T.

Postconditions: get() != 0 && use_count() == 1.

Throws: bad_alloc, or an exception thrown from A::allocate or from the constructor of T.

Remarks: The shared_ptr constructor called by this function enables shared_from_this with the address of the newly constructed object of type T. Implementations should perform no more than one memory allocation. [ Note: This provides efficiency equivalent to an intrusive smart pointer.  — end note ]

Note: These functions will typically allocate more memory than sizeof(T) to allow for internal bookkeeping structures such as the reference counts.  — end note ]

20.11.2.2.7 shared_ptr comparison [util.smartptr.shared.cmp]

template<class T, class U> bool operator==(const shared_ptr<T>& a, const shared_ptr<U>& b) noexcept;

Returns: a.get() == b.get().

template<class T, class U> bool operator<(const shared_ptr<T>& a, const shared_ptr<U>& b) noexcept;

Returns: less<V>()(a.get(), b.get()), where V is the composite pointer type (Clause [expr]) of shared_ptr<T>::element_type* and shared_ptr<U>::element_type*.

Note: Defining a comparison operator allows shared_ptr objects to be used as keys in associative containers.  — end note ]

template <class T> bool operator==(const shared_ptr<T>& a, nullptr_t) noexcept; template <class T> bool operator==(nullptr_t, const shared_ptr<T>& a) noexcept;

Returns: !a.

template <class T> bool operator!=(const shared_ptr<T>& a, nullptr_t) noexcept; template <class T> bool operator!=(nullptr_t, const shared_ptr<T>& a) noexcept;

Returns: (bool)a.

template <class T> bool operator<(const shared_ptr<T>& a, nullptr_t) noexcept; template <class T> bool operator<(nullptr_t, const shared_ptr<T>& a) noexcept;

Returns: The first function template returns less<shared_ptr<T>::element_type*>()(a.get(), nullptr). The second function template returns less<shared_ptr<T>::element_type*>()(nullptr, a.get()).

template <class T> bool operator>(const shared_ptr<T>& a, nullptr_t) noexcept; template <class T> bool operator>(nullptr_t, const shared_ptr<T>& a) noexcept;

Returns: The first function template returns nullptr < a. The second function template returns a < nullptr.

template <class T> bool operator<=(const shared_ptr<T>& a, nullptr_t) noexcept; template <class T> bool operator<=(nullptr_t, const shared_ptr<T>& a) noexcept;

Returns: The first function template returns !(nullptr < a). The second function template returns !(a < nullptr).

template <class T> bool operator>=(const shared_ptr<T>& a, nullptr_t) noexcept; template <class T> bool operator>=(nullptr_t, const shared_ptr<T>& a) noexcept;

Returns: The first function template returns !(a < nullptr). The second function template returns !(nullptr < a).

20.11.2.2.8 shared_ptr specialized algorithms [util.smartptr.shared.spec]

template<class T> void swap(shared_ptr<T>& a, shared_ptr<T>& b) noexcept;

Effects: Equivalent to a.swap(b).

20.11.2.2.9 shared_ptr casts [util.smartptr.shared.cast]

template<class T, class U> shared_ptr<T> static_pointer_cast(const shared_ptr<U>& r) noexcept;

Requires: The expression static_cast<T*>((U*)0) shall be well formed.

Returns: shared_ptr<T>(r, static_cast<typename shared_ptr<T>::element_type*>(r.get())).

Note: The seemingly equivalent expression shared_ptr<T>(static_cast<T*>(r.get())) will eventually result in undefined behavior, attempting to delete the same object twice.  — end note ]

template<class T, class U> shared_ptr<T> dynamic_pointer_cast(const shared_ptr<U>& r) noexcept;

Requires: The expression dynamic_cast<T*>((U*)0) shall be well formed and shall have well defined behavior.

Returns:

  • When dynamic_cast<typename shared_ptr<T>::element_type*>(r.get()) returns a nonzero value p, shared_ptr<T>(r, p).

  • Otherwise, shared_ptr<T>().

Note: The seemingly equivalent expression shared_ptr<T>(dynamic_cast<T*>(r.get())) will eventually result in undefined behavior, attempting to delete the same object twice.  — end note ]

template<class T, class U> shared_ptr<T> const_pointer_cast(const shared_ptr<U>& r) noexcept;

Requires: The expression const_cast<T*>((U*)0) shall be well formed.

Returns: shared_ptr<T>(r, const_cast<typename shared_ptr<T>::element_type*>(r.get())).

Note: The seemingly equivalent expression shared_ptr<T>(const_cast<T*>(r.get())) will eventually result in undefined behavior, attempting to delete the same object twice.  — end note ]

template<class T, class U> shared_ptr<T> reinterpret_pointer_cast(const shared_ptr<U>& r) noexcept;

Requires: The expression reinterpret_cast<T*>((U*)0) shall be well formed.

Returns:

shared_ptr<T>(r, reinterpret_cast<typename shared_ptr<T>::element_type*>(r.get()))

Note: The seemingly equivalent expression shared_ptr<T>(reinterpret_cast<T*>(r.get())) will eventually result in undefined behavior, attempting to delete the same object twice.  — end note ]

20.11.2.2.10 get_deleter [util.smartptr.getdeleter]

template<class D, class T> D* get_deleter(const shared_ptr<T>& p) noexcept;

Returns: If p owns a deleter d of type cv-unqualified D, returns addressof(d); otherwise returns nullptr. The returned pointer remains valid as long as there exists a shared_ptr instance that owns d. [ Note: It is unspecified whether the pointer remains valid longer than that. This can happen if the implementation doesn't destroy the deleter until all weak_ptr instances that share ownership with p have been destroyed.  — end note ]

20.11.2.2.11 shared_ptr I/O [util.smartptr.shared.io]

template<class E, class T, class Y> basic_ostream<E, T>& operator<< (basic_ostream<E, T>& os, const shared_ptr<Y>& p);

Effects: As if by: os << p.get();

Returns: os.