# std::unique_ptr::operator*

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< cpp‎ | memory‎ | unique ptr

typename std::add_lvalue_reference<T>::type operator*() const; | (1) | (since C++11)
pointer operator->() const; | (2) | (since C++11)

`operator*` and `operator->` provide access to the object owned by *this.

The behavior is undefined if get() == nullptr

### Parameters

(none)

### Return value

1) Returns the object owned by *this, equivalent to *get().

2) Returns a pointer to the object owned by *this, i.e. get().

### Exceptions

1) may throw, e.g. if `pointer` defines a throwing `operator*`

2)
`noexcept` specification:
noexcept

### Example

Run this code

    #include <iostream>
    #include <memory>

    struct Foo {
        void bar() { std::cout << "Foo::bar\n"; }
    };

    void f(const Foo& foo)
    {
        std::cout << "f(const Foo&)\n";
    }

    int main()
    {
        std::unique_ptr<Foo> ptr(new Foo);

        ptr->bar();
        f(*ptr);
    }

Output:

    Foo::bar
    f(const Foo&)

### See also

get | returns a pointer to the managed object (public member function)

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