C++ Pointers & Address in C++

Every variable we declare in our program has an associated location in the memory, which we call the memory address of the variable. If we have a variable var in our program, &var returns its memory address.
Assigning Addresses to Pointers

Here is how we can assign addresses to pointers: int var = 5; int* point_var = &var; Here, 5 is assigned to the variable var. And the address of var is assigned to the point_var pointer with the code point_var = &var.
Get the Value from the Address Using Pointers

To get the value pointed by a pointer, we use the * operator. For example: int var = 5; // assign address of var to point_var int* point_var = &var; // access value pointed by point_var cout << *point_var << endl; // Output: 5 In the above code, the address of var is assigned to point_var. We have used the *point_var to get the value stored in that address. When * is used with pointers, it's called the dereference operator. It operates on a pointer and gives the value pointed by the address stored in the pointer. That is, *point_var = var.
Working of C++ Pointers

#include <iostream> using namespace std; int main() { int var = 5; // store address of var int* point_var = &var; // print value of var cout << "var = " << var << endl; // print address of var cout << "Address of var (&var) = " << &var << endl << endl; // print pointer point_var cout << "point_var = " << point_var << endl; // print the content of the address point_var points to cout << "Content of the address pointed to by point_var (*point_var) = " << *point_var << endl; return 0; }
Changing Value Pointed by Pointers

If point_var points to the address of var, we can change the value of var by using *point_var. For example, int var = 5; int* point_var = *var; // change value at address point_var *point_var = 1; cout << var << endl; // Output: 1 Here, point_var and &var have the same address; the value of var will also be changed when *point_var is changed.
Common Mistakes When Working with Pointers

int var = 5; // Wrong! // point_var is an address but var is not int* point_var = var; // Wrong! // &var is an address // *point_var is the value stored in &var *point_var = &var; // Correct! // point_var is an address and so is &var point_var = &var; // Correct! // both *point_var and var are values *point_var = var;
How to use pointers in struct in C++?

Here, the address of variable d is stored in the pointer variable ptr , which means ptr is pointing to variable d . Distance* ptr = &d; Then, the member function of variable d is accessed using the pointer. cin >> (*ptr).
What are pointers in data structure using C++?

Pointers are used extensively in both C and C++ for three main purposes: to allocate new objects on the heap, to pass functions to other functions. to iterate over elements in arrays or other data structures.
How to print pointer in C++?

How do I print the address stored in the pointer in C++? int *ptr = &var; printf("%p", ptr); That will print the address stored in ptr will be printed
How to use pointers in C++ classes?

The pointer to member operators . * and ->* are used to bind a pointer to a member of a specific class object. Because the precedence of () (function call operator) is higher than . * and ->* , you must use parentheses to call the function pointed to by ptf .

Requirement

Pointers are symbolic representations of addresses. They enable programs to simulate call-by-reference as well as to create and manipulate dynamic data structures. Iterating over elements in arrays or other data structures is one of the main use of pointers. The address of the variable you’re working with is assigned to the pointer variable that points to the same data type (such as an int or string).

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