] Smart pointers are objects which store pointers to
] dynamically allocated (heap) objects. They behave much
] like built-in C pointers except that they automatically
] delete the object pointed to at the appropriate time.
] Smart pointers are particularly useful in the face of
] exceptions as they ensure proper destruction of
] dynamically allocated objects. They can also be used to
] keep track of dynamically allocated objects shared by
] multiple owners.
]
] Conceptually, smart pointers are seen as owning the
] object pointed to, and thus responsible for deletion of
] the object when it is no longer needed.