What is RAII and why is it fundamental in C++?

RAII, or Resource Acquisition Is Initialization, is a fundamental programming idiom used primarily in C++. It ensures that resources are properly allocated and deallocated automatically. In RAII, resource management (like memory, file handles, etc.) is tied to the lifespan of an object. This means that when an object goes out of scope, its destructor is called, releasing any resources it holds. This automatic cleanup helps prevent resource leaks and enhances program reliability.

RAII is fundamental in C++ because it leverages the language's support for constructors and destructors, allowing developers to manage resources efficiently and avoid common pitfalls associated with manual memory management.

class Resource { public: Resource() { // Acquire resource (e.g., memory allocation) std::cout << "Resource acquired" << std::endl; } ~Resource() { // Release resource std::cout << "Resource released" << std::endl; } }; void exampleFunction() { Resource res; // Resource is acquired here // Use the resource... } // Resource is released automatically when 'res' goes out of scope

RAII Resource Management C++ Constructors Destructors Memory Management Automatic Cleanup