Singleton example in C++

gistfile1.c++

/*
 * Example of a singleton design pattern.
 * Copyright (C) 2011 Radek Pazdera

 * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
 * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
 * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
 * (at your option) any later version.

 * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
 * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
 * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
 * GNU General Public License for more details.

 * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 * along with this program. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 */

#include <iostream>

class Singleton
{
    private:
        /* Here will be the instance stored. */
        static Singleton* instance;

        /* Private constructor to prevent instancing. */
        Singleton();

    public:
        /* Static access method. */
        static Singleton* getInstance();
};

/* Null, because instance will be initialized on demand. */
Singleton* Singleton::instance = 0;

Singleton* Singleton::getInstance()
{
    if (instance == 0)
    {
        instance = new Singleton();
    }

    return instance;
}

Singleton::Singleton()
{}

int main()
{
    //new Singleton(); // Won't work
    Singleton* s = Singleton::getInstance(); // Ok
    Singleton* r = Singleton::getInstance();

    /* The addresses will be the same. */
    std::cout << s << std::endl;
    std::cout << r << std::endl;
}

If this is a header .h file, class implements should be written in .cpp file
Otherwise, compile error occurs.

If this is a header .h file, class implements should be written in .cpp file
Otherwise, compile error occurs.

Good Example to show singleton. Thank you.

Good Example to show singleton. Thank you.

thank you,very good

thank you,very good

how to implement in header only library.

how to implement in header only library.

Is this implementation thread-safe？

Is this implementation thread-safe？

Your implementation has a memory leak.

Your implementation has a memory leak.

nice example!

nice example!

Very helpful! Thanks a lot!

Very helpful! Thanks a lot!

Nice, however, I just would say that there is a memory leak. When you create a raw pointer you need to make sure to delete it in the destructor. If not then make sure to new a smart pointer so it gets deleted automatically.

Nice, however, I just would say that there is a memory leak. When you create a raw pointer you need to make sure to delete it in the destructor. If not then make sure to new a smart pointer so it gets deleted automatically.

The copy constructor and the copy assignment operator should be declared private, i.e.

private:
Singleton(const Singleton&);
Singleton& operator=(const Singleton&);

Otherwise, you will be able to clone your object. If you are using C++ 11, you may leave the copy constructor and the copy assignment operator public but explicitly delete them:

public:
Singleton(const Singleton&) = delete;
Singleton& operator=(const Singleton&) = delete;

The copy constructor and the copy assignment operator should be declared private, i.e.

private:
Singleton(const Singleton&);
Singleton& operator=(const Singleton&);

Otherwise, you will be able to clone your object. If you are using C++ 11, you may leave the copy constructor and the copy assignment operator public but explicitly delete them:

public:
Singleton(const Singleton&) = delete;
Singleton& operator=(const Singleton&) = delete;

Nice, but I have some notes here:

• First, you have memory leak.
• And second, you should declare the copy constructor and the assignment operator of your class as private or delete them explicitly to prevent cloning your object.

Nice, but I have some notes here:

• First, you have memory leak.
• And second, you should declare the copy constructor and the assignment operator of your class as private or delete them explicitly to prevent cloning your object.