Search code examples
c++memory-managementnew-operatordelete-operatorself-destruction

Is "delete this" allowed in C++?

Is it allowed to delete this; if the delete-statement is the last statement that will be executed on that instance of the class? Of course I'm sure that the object represented by the this-pointer is newly-created.

I'm thinking about something like this:

void SomeModule::doStuff()
{
    // in the controller, "this" object of SomeModule is the "current module"
    // now, if I want to switch over to a new Module, eg:

    controller->setWorkingModule(new OtherModule());

    // since the new "OtherModule" object will take the lead, 
    // I want to get rid of this "SomeModule" object:

    delete this;
}

Can I do this?

Solution

  • The C++ FAQ Lite has a entry specifically for this

    I think this quote sums it up nicely

    As long as you're careful, it's OK for an object to commit suicide (delete this).