A weak_ptr is created as a copy of shared_ptr. It provides access to an object that is owned by one or more shared_ptr instances but does not participate in reference counting. The existence or destruction of weak_ptr has no effect on the shared_ptr or its other copies. It is required in some cases to break circular references between shared_ptr instances.
```
#include <iostream>
#include <memory>
int main()
{
// OLD, problem with dangling pointer PROBLEM: ref will point to undefined data!
int* ptr = new int(10);
int* ref = ptr;
delete ptr;
// NEW SOLUTION: check expired() or lock() to determine if pointer is valid
// empty definition
std::shared_ptr<int> sptr;
// takes ownership of pointer
sptr.reset(new int);
*sptr = 10;
// get pointer to data without taking ownership
std::weak_ptr<int> weak1 = sptr;
// deletes managed object, acquires new pointer
sptr.reset(new int);
*sptr = 5;
// get pointer to new data without taking ownership
std::weak_ptr<int> weak2 = sptr;
// weak1 is expired!
if(auto tmp = weak1.lock())
std::cout << "weak1 value is " << *tmp << '\n';
else
std::cout << "weak1 is expired\n";
// weak2 points to new data (5)
if(auto tmp = weak2.lock())
std::cout << "weak2 value is " << *tmp << '\n';
else
std::cout << "weak2 is expired\n";
}
/*
weak1 is expired
weak2 value is 5
*/
```