MoveOnlyMoveOnly
MoveOnlyMoveOnly is a term used in programming to describe a type whose instances can be transferred between owners by move operations but cannot be copied. The primary goal is to enforce exclusive ownership of a resource, such as memory, a file handle, or a network connection, and to prevent unintended sharing that could lead to resource duplication or leaks.
Typical characteristics: non-copyable but moveable; implements a move constructor and move assignment operator, often deleting the
Common design patterns: wrapper types that manage resources (RAII objects) use move semantics to transfer ownership.
Usage considerations: storage in containers is allowed for move-only types if the container supports moving; be
Impact and alternatives: Move-only types complement reference counting or shared ownership where copying is needed; but
See also: Move semantics, Copy semantics, RAII, Smart pointer, Resource management.