[Term Entry] c++ Pointers: .get()

content/cpp/concepts/pointers/terms/get/get.md

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+---
+Title: '.get()'
+Description: 'Returns a raw pointer to the managed object without transferring ownership.'
+Subjects:
+  - 'Computer Science'
+  - 'Web Development'
+Tags:
+  - 'Objects'
+  - 'Pointers'
+CatalogContent:
+  - 'learn-c-plus-plus'
+  - 'paths/computer-science'
+---
+
+The **`.get()`** function in C++ is used with smart pointers such as `std::unique_ptr` and `std::shared_ptr` to obtain the raw pointer to the managed object without transferring ownership. It is commonly used when working with legacy code or APIs that require raw pointers, or when there is a need to access the underlying object directly while still maintaining smart pointer ownership and automatic memory management.
+
+## Syntax
+
+```pseudo
+ptr.get();
+```
+
+Here, `ptr` is a `std::unique_ptr<T>` or `std::shared_ptr<T>`.
+
+**Parameters:**
+
+- `.get()` does not take any parameters.
+
+**Return value:**
+
+- Returns the raw pointer (`T*`) to the managed object.
+- Ownership remains with the smart pointer; the caller must not delete the returned pointer.
+
+## Example
+
+This example shows how the `.get()` method returns a raw pointer to a managed object without transferring ownership:
+
+```cpp
+#include <iostream>
+#include <memory>
+
+int main() {
+  std::unique_ptr<int> uniq_ptr(new int(20));
+
+  int* raw_ptr = nullptr;
+  raw_ptr = uniq_ptr.get(); // returns pointer to a managed object without transferring ownership
+
+  std::cout << "value at raw_ptr address: " << *raw_ptr << std::endl;
+  return 0;
+}
+```
+
+The output of this example is:
+
+```shell
+value at raw_ptr address: 20
+```
+
+In this example:
+
+- The `uniq_ptr` manages a dynamically allocated `int` with a value of 20.
+- The `.get()` method returns a raw pointer to the managed object, so `raw_ptr` points to the same memory location as `uniq_ptr`, but without taking ownership.
+- `raw_ptr` can access (read or write) the value, while `uniq_ptr` still maintains exclusive ownership and will automatically delete the object when it goes out of scope.
+
+## Codebyte Example
+
+This example shows how `.get()` can be used to pass a raw pointer to a legacy function that does not accept smart pointers:
+
+```codebyte/cpp
+#include <iostream>
+#include <memory>
+
+void legacyPrint(int* ptr) {
+    std::cout << "Value from legacy function: " << *ptr << std::endl;
+}
+
+int main() {
+    std::unique_ptr<int> uniq_ptr(new int(42));
+    legacyPrint(uniq_ptr.get()); // Passing raw pointer without giving up ownership
+    return 0;
+}
+```