A SmartPointer implementation in C++. A SmartPointer is a data type, implemented with templates, that simulates a pointer while also providing automatic garbage collection. It automatically counts the number of references to a SmartPointer<T *> object and frees the object of type T when the reference count hits zero.
- A SmartPointer can point to an object of any type by using generics/templates
- A SmartPointer provides safety via automatic memory management
- Avoids issues like dangling pointers, memory leaks and allocation failures
- SmartPointer must maintain a single reference count for all references to a given object