Understanding the Difference between int and int* Pointers

Thread starter transgalactic
Start date Oct 13, 2008

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Oct 13, 2008

transgalactic

when i declare

Code:

int* ptr_a, ptr_b;

why the type of ptr_b is int
and not int*

?

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Oct 13, 2008

CompuChip

Science Advisor

Homework Helper

Because

Code:

int *pta_a, ptr_b;

means

Code:

int *pta_a; int ptr_b;

and not

Code:

int *pta_a; int *ptr_b;

which would be

Code:

int *pta_a, *pta_b;

Oct 13, 2008

transgalactic

thanks

FAQ: Understanding the Difference between int and int* Pointers

What is the difference between an int and int* pointer?

An int pointer, or int*, is a variable that holds the memory address of an integer variable. This allows us to indirectly access and modify the value of the integer variable by using the pointer. An int, on the other hand, is a variable that holds a specific integer value.

How do you declare and initialize an int pointer?

To declare an int pointer, you use the asterisk symbol (*) before the variable name. For example, int* ptr; To initialize an int pointer, you can assign it the memory address of an existing integer variable using the ampersand symbol (&). For example, int num = 5; int* ptr = # This sets the pointer to point to the memory address of the num variable.

How do you dereference an int pointer?

To dereference an int pointer means to access the value stored at the memory address it is pointing to. This is done by using the asterisk symbol (*) before the pointer name. For example, int num = 5; int* ptr = # cout << *ptr; This will output the value 5, which is the value stored at the memory address pointed to by ptr.

What are the advantages of using int pointers?

Int pointers allow for more efficient memory management and manipulation. They also allow for the creation of dynamic data structures, such as linked lists, which can grow or shrink in size as needed. Pointers are also useful for passing variables by reference to functions, which can avoid the overhead of creating a copy of the variable.

How do you avoid common pitfalls when using int pointers?

One common pitfall when using int pointers is not properly initializing them before dereferencing. This can lead to errors and crashes in the program. It is also important to ensure that the pointer is pointing to a valid memory address, as dereferencing a null pointer can also cause errors. Additionally, memory allocated by using pointers should always be properly freed to avoid memory leaks.