Summary  
This chapter discusses evaluating and minimizing the performance overhead of smart pointers—particularly the reference‐counting cost of std::shared_ptr—by profiling code, avoiding unnecessary copies, and using std::unique_ptr when exclusive ownership suffices.  

General domain of usage  
Performance-critical C++ applications

### Smart Pointer Overhead

**Smart pointers** introduce some overhead compared to raw pointers due to additional functionalities like **reference counting** and **automatic resource management**. While this overhead is often minimal, performance-oriented developers should be mindful of its potential impact.

A better approach is to refactor the code gradually, measuring performance after each iteration, and selecting a mix of `std::shared_ptr` and `std::unique_ptr` based on the specific use case and resource management needs.

### Minimize Shared Pointer Overhead

Shared pointers has extra overhead due to reference counting, which can impact performance, especially in frequent operations or with many shared pointers. To optimize, **avoid unnecessary copies** and use `std::unique_ptr` when shared ownership isn't needed.

Regularly benchmark and profile code segments that use smart pointers to identify bottlenecks and optimize performance. You can use tools like Google Benchmark or Valgrind for this purpose.

What is the main reason smart pointers introduce overhead compared to raw pointers?

Unlock the power of memory management. Designed seasoned programmers, this course provides a deep dive into one of the most crucial aspects of modern development and revise about pointers and references. With Smart Pointers, you'll learn how to effectively manage memory allocation and deallocation, avoiding common pitfalls like memory leaks and dangling pointers. Our expert instructors guide you through the intricacies of unique_ptr, shared_ptr, and weak_ptr, empowering you to write safer and more robust code.

Understand the fundamentals of pointers, how they interact with memory, and why dynamic allocation is crucial. Explore the challenges of manual memory management and how smart pointers solve common issues like memory leaks and dangling pointers.

Learn how std::unique_ptr manages exclusive ownership and automates memory deallocation. Explore creation, movement, and best practices for passing unique pointers, along with key methods and real-world applications for safer, more efficient code.

Explore shared pointers, investigating their functionality, benefits, real-world applications in programming and what sets unique pointers apart.

Explore weak pointers, comprehending their nature, creating and utilizing them effectively, resolving circular references through weak pointers, and examining key functions associated with weak pointers.

Learn how to use custom deleters for smart pointers, real-world smart pointer applications, performance considerations, and a detailed comparison of shared, unique, and weak pointers.

Performance Considerations With Smart Pointers

Smart Pointer Overhead

Minimize Shared Pointer Overhead

Awesome!

Performance Considerations With Smart Pointers

Smart Pointer Overhead

Minimize Shared Pointer Overhead