Re: [boost] [interest] rich-typed smart pointers

Subject: Re: [boost] [interest] rich-typed smart pointers
From: Julian Gonggrijp (j.gonggrijp_at_[hidden])
Date: 2013-10-07 10:40:05

Larry Evans wrote:

> On 10/07/13 08:34, Julian Gonggrijp wrote:
>> Please note that I'm not disputing that reference counting has a clear
>> advantage to single ownership in cases like these. I'm just saying
>> that dangling or expired pointers can still be a pitfall despite that
>> advantage.
>> 
> 
> I see your point.  the rtp pointer has the advantage of much less
> overyhead, but the disadvantage of makeing it harder to detect
> dangling pointers and program a workaround.
> 
> Is that a good summary?

Truthful but incomplete. Rich-typed pointers also prevent accidental 
cyclic ownership, while allowing for cyclic ownership by design that 
can be undone, i.e. without causing memory leaks.

HTH,
-Julian