A C library providing smart pointer constructs like unique_ptr and shared_ptr with automatic memory management.
libcsptr is a C library that implements smart pointer constructs like unique_ptr and shared_ptr for automatic memory management. It solves common C programming problems like memory leaks and dangling pointers by providing RAII-style resource management. The library enables C developers to write safer code with automatic cleanup of allocated memory and other resources.
C developers working on projects that require robust memory management and want to reduce manual memory handling errors. Particularly useful for developers familiar with C++ smart pointers who need similar functionality in C codebases.
Developers choose libcsptr because it brings modern memory management patterns to C without requiring a switch to C++. It provides automatic cleanup, reduces memory-related bugs, and maintains C's performance while adding safety features typically found in higher-level languages.
Smart pointers for the (GNU) C programming language
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Implements unique_ptr and shared_ptr macros similar to C++, enabling automatic memory cleanup and reducing leaks, as demonstrated in the simple examples with Valgrind output showing no memory leaks.
Allows associating cleanup functions with smart pointers, facilitating proper resource management for non-memory resources like file descriptors, as shown in the log_file example with close_log.
Provides length-aware arrays with per-element destructors and array_length macro, simplifying array handling and preventing buffer overflows, illustrated in the smart array example.
Tested on Linux, macOS, and Windows with GCC and MinGW, ensuring broad usability across different environments, as noted in the features and installation sections.
As admitted in the FAQ, the library hasn't been widely used, so there might be undiscovered bugs and less community support compared to established memory management solutions.
Requires GCC 4.6+ or compatible compilers with GNU C extensions, limiting its use in projects that need strict C compliance or use other compilers like MSVC without workarounds.
Smart pointers add metadata and runtime checks for automatic cleanup, which can introduce overhead compared to manual memory management, potentially affecting performance-critical applications.