When Are `new`/`delete`, Raw Pointers, and C-Style Arrays Still Necessary in Modern C ?

In Modern C , are new/delete, Raw Pointers, or C-Style Arrays Ever Necessary?

In the C community, a paradigm shift is underway, encouraging the abandonment of traditional memory management practices like new/delete, raw pointers, and C-style arrays. With the advent of smart pointers and containers in the C 11 standard, these legacy approaches are often considered outdated.

Can Smart Pointers or Standard Containers Replace new/delete?

Aside from implementing smart pointers or containers, are there any use cases where new/delete cannot be replaced?

Yes, there are edge cases where new/delete offer specific advantages:

• Non-Local Ownership: If ownership of a pointer should not be localized to the pointer itself, as in certain data structures like linked lists or graphs.

Raw C-Style Arrays vs. std::array

Is there a need for raw C-style arrays when std::array provides similar functionality?

In rare scenarios, C-style arrays may still be preferred:

• Third-Party Library Integration: If a third-party library returns raw pointers allocated with new, wrapping them with smart pointers may not be feasible.

Interaction with Raw Pointers in Third-Party Libraries

How can we handle raw pointers returned by third-party libraries, ensuring proper resource release?

We can wrap these pointers in smart pointers, specifying a custom deleter function if needed to account for the library's legacy resource release API.

Situational Relevance

It's important to note that these use cases are corner cases, rarely encountered in everyday programming. For practical purposes, modern C memory management facilities offer superior safety and convenience.

Conclusion

While new/delete, raw pointers, and C-style arrays have historical significance, their use in contemporary C is generally discouraged. Smart pointers and containers provide robust and maintainable alternatives for memory management, ensuring code safety and readability.

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