should I continue to use boost::shared_array or use boost::shared_ptr<type []> instead?

Question

Starting with Boost release 1.53, shared_ptr can be used to hold a pointer to a dynamically allocated array. (http://www.boost.org/doc/libs/1_55_0/libs/smart_ptr/shared_ptr.htm)

Also, using shared_ptr has the benefit of allocator functions like boost::make_shared< int [] >(...);
Should I start using boost::shared_ptr instead of boost::shared_array when possible? it seems boost::shared_ptr can do most of the work boost::shared_array does.

One advantage of shared_array is that it overrides the [] operator. With shared_ptr<T[]> you'd need to dereference the pointer first: (*sharedPtr)[i] rather than sharedArray[i] — Nick
– Nick, Commented Feb 20, 2014 at 10:33
@Nick: No need for that, shared_ptr has support for operator[] for array types, which on the other hand hasn't support for operator-> or operator*. See boost.org/doc/libs/1_55_0/boost/smart_ptr/shared_ptr.hpp — dalle
– dalle, Commented Feb 20, 2014 at 11:33
@MaximYegorushkin: Thanks. maybe shared_ptr<std::vector> will solve most of the problems. — Guo
– Guo, Commented Feb 21, 2014 at 9:39

bobah · Accepted Answer · 2014-02-20 09:17:16Z

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If the code is correct and working, I would not do the subject change.

If I had spare time and desire to do the change nevertheless, I would migrate to std::shared_ptr<T[]> straight away.

answered Feb 20, 2014 at 9:17

bobah

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Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 11:49:50Z

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Yes and one important benefit of using shared_ptr is that you no longer need to release the memory explicitly. The shared_ptr is a smart pointer and hence deallocates the memory by himself hence avoiding any memory leak. Also there is similar question exist on SO please visit the link Why use one vs the other: `boost::shared_array` VS `boost::shared_ptr<std::vector>`?

edited May 23, 2017 at 11:49

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answered Feb 20, 2014 at 9:19

Krishna

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1 Comment

bobah Over a year ago

shared_array, which author is using already is too a smart pointer

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