C++: Creating a shared object rather than a shared pointer to an object

Question

boost::shared_ptr really bothers me. Certainly, I understand the utility of such a thing, but I wish that I could use the shared_ptr as an

Answer 1

So you are creating a Stand-In (SharedA) for which deletion is okay. Even though this is kinda awkward, I guess it's necessary to work with your legacy API. To slightly improve this: Allow construction of SharedA from a shared_ptr, but not the other way around - and then only use the SharedP when you absolutely must:

int main()
{
  HelpfulContainer helpfulContainer;

  boost::shared_ptr sa1(new A(1));

  // deletes its parameter, but that's okay
  helpfulContainer.eventHorizon(new SharedA(sa1)); 
}