Returning unique_ptr Ownership

#include <iostream>
#include <cstdint>
#include <memory>

using namespace std;

/**
 * Creates a dynamic buffer and returns exclusive ownership.
 * @param n The size of the buffer to allocate.
 * @return A unique_ptr managing the allocated uint8_t array.
 */
unique_ptr<uint8_t[]> createBuffer(int n) {
    // 1. Allocate a buffer of size n using make_unique for exception safety
    auto buffer = make_unique<uint8_t[]>(n);

    for (int i = 0; i < n; i++) {
        int temp;
        if (cin >> temp) {
            // 2. Store input into the buffer (casting to uint8_t)
            buffer[i] = static_cast<uint8_t>(temp);
        }
    }

    // 3. Return ownership of the buffer to the caller
    // The move happens automatically due to Return Value Optimization (RVO)
    return buffer;
}

int main() {
    int N;
    if (!(cin >> N)) return 0;

    // Receive ownership from the function
    // The 'buffer' in main now solely owns the memory created in createBuffer
    unique_ptr<uint8_t[]> buffer = createBuffer(N);

    // Print the buffer contents
    for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) {
        // Cast to int for printing, otherwise uint8_t might be treated as a char
        cout << static_cast<int>(buffer[i]);
        if (i != N - 1) cout << " ";
    }
    cout << endl;

    // No manual delete needed! Memory is freed here automatically.
    return 0;
}

Solving Approach