boost shared_ptr get owner count

Question

I'm using boost::shared_ptr to store a pointer to texture. I'm loading new textures as i need and share them among the program using shared_ptr. If my app is using too much memory i want to remove unused textures to clear memory. Is there a way I can determine how many objects are having access to the texture via shared_ptr ?

Answer 1

If it's unused then the shared_ptr will free it automatically. That's the point of shared_ptr. If you are holding a shared_ptr to a texture without actually using it, then you're violating the contract of shared_ptr and should not be using it.

Answer 2

You can use shared_ptr::use_count(), but read the documentation before doing so!