Question

Is this a proper way?

void helperFunc(MyClass *ptr)
{
    // do something with ptr,
}

unique_ptr<MyClass> p(new MyClass());
helperFunc(p.get());

or should I use shared_ptr for such operations?

Answer 1

If helpFunc takes the ownership you pass std::shared_ptr or std::unique_ptr otherwise just pass by reference:

  void helperFunc(MyClass& my_class)
  {
  }

call:

 helperFunc(*p);