c++ - Boost Pointers as a means of an array -

i'm converting c code open-source, c++11 style compatible code, uses boost. (purposefully not used c++ shared ptr implementation)

i've studied use of boost shared_ptrs vs unique_ptrs vs. raw pointers means of managing memory resources, based on intended ownership, etc.

i'm getting confused though, @ different layers of abstraction @ raw pointers can used , whether semantics translate boost.

i have templated class purposely composed of different structs make use of said structs.

example:

template <typename my_type> class : public base_a {     ...     typedef struct b     {       float* numbers;        my_type* my_types;      };     typedef struct c     {       b* b_types;      }; } 

this i'm getting confused. pointers used reference contiguous blocks of memory, right? because pointers, can use [] operator index offset of reference memory, , in way pointers not used reference objects, arrays of types well. again, guess can class can pointers , data structures, right?

so question mainly, how translate boost , how boost controls deallocation of nested data types, such structs , nested classes?

for example, if do, in main:

boost::shared_ptr<a> my_a(new a());  

or

boost::unique_ptr<a> my_a(new a());  

...when reference count goes 0, get's deallocated, mean of pointers composed of followed, , deallocated? need provide virtual destructor explicitly deletes atomics? or pointer variables, including float*, example, need weak_ptr's that?

if want smart-pointers arrays can use

• std::unique_ptr<t[]> - this

  • deletes using delete[] through default deleter
  • is specialized support operator[] c-style array indexing

• boost::shared_array boost::shared_ptr t[] instead of t*

that said, modern c++11 style suggests boost::array<> or std::vector<> instead