What are some examples of using pointers in C++?

What are some examples of using pointers in C++?

Pointers in C++ are variables that store memory addresses. Here are a few examples:

1. Basic Pointer Usage: You can declare a pointer and assign it the address of a variable.

   int a = 10;
   int* p = &a;
   

2. Dynamic Memory Allocation: Using new to allocate memory.

   int* arr = new int[5];
   

3. Pointer Arithmetic: You can perform arithmetic on pointers to navigate through arrays.

   int* p = arr;
   p++; // Moves to the next integer in the array
   

4. Function Pointers: You can use pointers to point to functions.

   void (*funcPtr)() = &myFunction;
   

Would you like to know more about any specific example?

Can you explain dynamic memory allocation with pointers?

Sure! Dynamic memory allocation in C++ allows you to allocate memory at runtime using the new keyword. For example:

int* p = new int; // Allocates memory for a single integer
*p = 5; // Assigns value to the allocated memory

You can also allocate an array:

int* arr = new int[10]; // Allocates memory for an array of 10 integers

Don't forget to free the memory using delete to avoid memory leaks:

delete p; // For single variable
delete[] arr; // For array

What are some common mistakes when using pointers?

Common mistakes include:

1. Memory Leaks: Forgetting to delete allocated memory.
2. Dangling Pointers: Using pointers after the memory has been freed.
3. Uninitialized Pointers: Using pointers that haven't been assigned a valid address.
4. Pointer Arithmetic Errors: Incorrectly calculating addresses can lead to accessing invalid memory. Always ensure proper memory management!