SharedPtr Library

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Overview

This library implements a custom shared pointer as a way to deeply understand the internal structure and behavior of C++ smart pointers. It mimics the reference counting mechanism of std::shared_ptr, with added focus on clarity and minimal overhead. The implementation is header-only and aims to provide safe memory management by automatically deleting resources when no longer needed.

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Class Descriptions

CRefCounter Class

• Role:
  • A base class for objects that need reference counting.
• Key Methods:
  • void IncrementRef():
    • Increments the reference count.
  • void DecrementRef():
    • Decrements the reference count.
    • Deletes the resource when the count reaches 0.

CSharedPtr<T> Class

• Role:
  • A smart pointer that manages the lifetime of a dynamically allocated resource using reference counting.
• Key Methods:
  • These functions are the only ones directly involved in reference count management and pointer assignment.
    • CSharedPtr(T* ptr):
      • Constructor that takes a raw pointer and increases its reference count.
    • CSharedPtr(const CSharedPtr<T>& other):
      • Shallow Copy Constructor that shares the pointer and increases the count.
    • ~CSharedPtr():
      • Destructor that decreases the count and deletes the object if it reaches 0.
    • void operator = (T* ptr):
      • Assigns a raw pointer, properly updating the reference count.
    • void operator = (const CSharedPtr<T>& other):
      • Assigns another smart pointer, sharing the resource and adjusting the count.

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Code Breakdown

Usage Example

int main()
{
	// create CObject
	CObject* obj = new CObject;
 
	CSharedPtr<CObject> sharedPtr1 = obj; // refCount: 1
	CSharedPtr<CObject> sharedPtr2 = obj; // refCount: 2
 
	sharedPtr1 = nullptr; // refCount: 1
	sharedPtr2 = nullptr; // refCount: 0, delete CObject
 
	return 0;
}

Example demonstrating the use of CSharedPtr with reference counting to manage the memory of a CObject.