std::shared_ptr<T>::get

Since C++17

Returns the stored pointer.

# Declarations

T* get() const noexcept;

(until C++17)

element_type* get() const noexcept;

(since C++17)

# Return value

The stored pointer.

# Notes

A shared_ptr may share ownership of an object while storing a pointer to another object. get() returns the stored pointer, not the managed pointer.

# Example

#include <iostream>
#include <memory>
#include <string_view>
 
int main()
{
    auto output = [](std::string_view msg, int const* pInt)
    {
        std::cout << msg << *pInt << " in " << pInt << '\n';
    };
 
    int* pInt = new int(42);
    std::shared_ptr<int> pShared = std::make_shared<int>(42);
 
    output("Naked pointer: ", pInt);
//  output("Shared pointer: ", pShared); // compiler error
    output("Shared pointer: ", &*pShared); // OK, calls operator*, then takes addr
    output("Shared pointer with get(): ", pShared.get());
 
    delete pInt;
 
    std::cout << "\nThe shared_ptr's aliasing constructor demo.\n";
    struct Base1 { int i1{}; };
    struct Base2 { int i2{}; };
    struct Derived : Base1, Base2 { int i3{}; };
 
    std::shared_ptr<Derived> p(new Derived());
    std::shared_ptr<Base2> q(p, static_cast<Base2*>(p.get()));
    std::cout << "q shares ownership with p, but points to Base2 subobject:\n"
              << "p.get(): " << p.get() << '\n'
              << "q.get(): " << q.get() << '\n'
              << "&(p->i1): " << &(p->i1) << '\n'
              << "&(p->i2): " << &(p->i2) << '\n'
              << "&(p->i3): " << &(p->i3) << '\n'
              << "&(q->i2): " << &(q->i2) << '\n';
}

# See also

operator*operator->