Auto ptr initialization

[n4nature]

Is a null check needed for the pointer aPtrDevFile (like we usually do after every new function call), after initializing an auto pointer as below:

<code>
std::auto_ptr<DevFile> aPtrDevFile (new DevFile);
</code>

Thanks!

[Athar]

new does not return null when it fails, it throws an exception.

[n4nature]

Thanks for the correction.

The question still remains unanswered.

[Athar]

No, it doesn't. If new can never return null, why would you need to check the return value for null?

[n4nature]

Well what I mean is, if new throws exception, we still need to have a try-catch block around that auto-ptr initialization, right?

[Athar]

If for some reason you want to handle the case that there is not enough memory for that specific allocation, then yes. Otherwise, no.

Or to put it differently: if you have a backup plan in case the allocation fails, catch the exception. If not, then let it be caught by someone who does have a backup plan somewhere higher up the chain. When there is none, let the program terminate.