std::unique_ptr<T,Deleter>::operator*, std::unique_ptr<T,Deleter>::operator->

Since C++11

typename std::add_lvalue_reference<T>::type operator*() const
    noexcept(noexcept(*std::declval<pointer>()));

pointer operator->() const noexcept;                            

Since C++23

typename std::add_lvalue_reference<T>::type operator*() constexpr
    noexcept(noexcept(*std::declval<pointer>()));

pointer operator->() constexpr noexcept;                        

operator* and operator-> provide access to the object owned by *this.

The behavior is undefined if get() == nullptr.

These member functions are only provided for unique_ptr for the single objects i.e. the primary template.

Parameters

(none)

Return value

1)

Returns the object owned by *this, equivalent to *get().

2)

Returns a pointer to the object owned by *this, i.e. get().

Exceptions

1)

May throw if pointer has a throwing operator*.

Example

#include <iostream>
#include <memory>
 
struct Foo {
    void bar() { std::cout << "Foo::bar\n"; }
};
 
void f(const Foo&) 
{
    std::cout 
        << "f(const Foo&)\n";
}
 
int main() 
{
    std::unique_ptr<Foo> ptr(new Foo);
 
    ptr->bar();
    f(*ptr);
}

Result

Foo::bar
f(const Foo&)