How Can I Safely Return a Pointer to a Local Variable in C ?

Returning a Pointer to a Local Variable in C

When attempting to return a pointer to a local variable in C , it's essential to consider the variable's lifetime. By default, local variables are destroyed upon function exit, making their memory unavailable to the caller. To overcome this issue, alternative approaches must be employed.

One solution involves using smart pointers. Smart pointers are objects that manage the allocation and deallocation of memory, ensuring the memory remains accessible even after the function returns. For instance, consider the following code:

unique_ptr<int> count()
{
   unique_ptr<int> value(new int(5));
   return value;
}

Here, a unique_ptr object is used to manage the memory allocated for the integer. By returning this object, the caller gains ownership of the memory, ensuring its accessibility. This approach allows for the safe and efficient return of pointers to dynamically allocated objects.

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