Advanced C++ Programming Cookbook

How it works...

The singleton pattern has been around in C++ for several years, and it is arguably one of the most controversial patterns in all of C++ as its global nature introduces coupling in your application (similar to how global variables introduce coupling). The singleton pattern implements a single, global resource. Specifically, it creates an object that maintains global scope, while ensuring no copies of itself can exist. The debate as to whether or not the singleton pattern should be used in your code will not be answered in this book as it depends on your use case, but let's at least cover some advantages and disadvantages of this pattern.

Advantages: The singleton pattern provides a clearly defined interface for global resources ...