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A unique_ptr does not share its pointer. It cannot be copied to another unique_ptr , passed by value to a function, or used in any C++ Standard Library algorithm that requires copies to be made. A unique_ptr can only be moved. This means that the ownership of the memory resource is transferred to another unique_ptr and the original unique_ptr no longer owns it. We recommend that you restrict an object to one owner, because multiple ownership adds complexity to the program logic. Therefore, when you need a smart pointer for a plain C++ object, use unique_ptr , and when you construct a unique_ptr , use the make_unique helper function.

The following diagram illustrates the transfer of ownership between two unique_ptr instances.

unique_ptr is defined in the <memory> header in the C++ Standard Library. It is exactly as efficient as a raw pointer and can be used in C++ Standard Library containers. The addition of unique_ptr instances to C++ Standard Library containers is efficient because the move constructor of the unique_ptr eliminates the need for a copy operation.

Example 1

The following example shows how to create unique_ptr instances and pass them between functions.

unique_ptr<Song> SongFactory(const std::wstring& artist, const std::wstring& title)
    // Implicit move operation into the variable that stores the result.
    return make_unique<Song>(artist, title);
void MakeSongs()
    // Create a new unique_ptr with a new object.
    auto song = make_unique<Song>(L"Mr. Children", L"Namonaki Uta");
    // Use the unique_ptr.
    vector<wstring> titles = { song->title };
    // Move raw pointer from one unique_ptr to another.
    unique_ptr<Song> song2 = std::move(song);
    // Obtain unique_ptr from function that returns by value.
    auto song3 = SongFactory(L"Michael Jackson", L"Beat It");
These examples demonstrate this basic characteristic of unique_ptr: it can be moved, but not copied. "Moving" transfers ownership to a new unique_ptr and resets the old unique_ptr.
Example 2
The following example shows how to create unique_ptr instances and use them in a vector.
void SongVector()
    vector<unique_ptr<Song>> songs;
    // Create a few new unique_ptr<Song> instances
    // and add them to vector using implicit move semantics.
    songs.push_back(make_unique<Song>(L"B'z", L"Juice")); 
    songs.push_back(make_unique<Song>(L"Namie Amuro", L"Funky Town")); 
    songs.push_back(make_unique<Song>(L"Kome Kome Club", L"Kimi ga Iru Dake de")); 
    songs.push_back(make_unique<Song>(L"Ayumi Hamasaki", L"Poker Face"));
    // Pass by const reference when possible to avoid copying.
    for (const auto& song : songs)
        wcout << L"Artist: " << song->artist << L"   Title: " << song->title << endl; 
In the range for  loop, notice that the unique_ptr is passed by reference. If you try to pass by value here, the compiler will throw an error because the unique_ptr copy constructor is deleted.
Example 3
The following example shows how to initialize a unique_ptr that is a class member.
class MyClass
private:
    // MyClass owns the unique_ptr.
    unique_ptr<ClassFactory> factory;
public:
    // Initialize by using make_unique with ClassFactory default constructor.
    MyClass() : factory (make_unique<ClassFactory>())
    void MakeClass()
        factory->DoSomething();
Example 4
You can use make_unique to create a unique_ptr to an array, but you cannot use make_unique to initialize the array elements.
// Create a unique_ptr to an array of 5 integers.
auto p = make_unique<int[]>(5);
// Initialize the array.
for (int i = 0; i < 5; ++i)
    p[i] = i;
    wcout << p[i] << endl;
For more examples, see make_unique.
See also
Smart Pointers (Modern C++)

make_unique