Create a boost::shared_ptr to an existing variable

Question

I have an existing variable, e.g.

int a = 3;

How can I now create a boost::shared_ptr to a? For example:

Answer 1

You cannot create a boost::shared_ptr for an existing variable. Items stored in a boost::shared_ptr are stored at creation.

You can however make a boost::shared_ptr that is a copy of an existing variable.

For example

int a = 3; // Existing variable
boost::shared_ptr aCopy = boost::make_shared(a); //Create copy with value of a

Note that you will need to include for make_shared.