What are the best practices for using pointers in programming?

What are the best practices for using pointers in programming?

When using pointers, always initialize them to avoid dangling pointers, and ensure proper memory management.

Can you explain what a dangling pointer is?

A dangling pointer refers to a pointer that does not point to a valid object or memory location, often after the object has been deleted.

How can I avoid memory leaks when using pointers?

To avoid memory leaks, always free memory that you allocate with new or malloc when it's no longer needed.

Are there any specific scenarios where using pointers is particularly beneficial?

Yes, pointers are particularly beneficial in dynamic memory allocation, data structures like linked lists, and for efficient array manipulation.