pointer

A data type found in computer programming languages such as C++. It is a variable that holds the memory address of another variable. Dynamic allocation of memory is possible through the use of pointers.
Examples using pointers: int i = 5; // declares an integer with an initial value of 5 int *p = &i; // declares a pointer to an integer and assigns the address of i to it cout << i; // outputs the number 5 to the console cout << &i; // outputs the address of i to the console cout << p; // same result as above cout << *p; // outputs the value pointed to by p (5) *p = 10; // changes the value of i to 10 int *arr = new int n; // creates an array containing n elements and assigns its address to arr (dynamic allocation) delete arr; // deletes the memory space arr points to (does not delete the pointer itself!)
by C++ Master May 04, 2007
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