What are pointers in C++ and how do I use them?

What are pointers in C++ and how do I use them?

Pointers in C++ are variables that store the memory address of another variable. They are used for dynamic memory allocation, arrays, and functions.

Can you give me an example of how to declare and use a pointer?

Sure! You can declare a pointer like this: int* ptr;. To assign it the address of a variable, use ptr = &variable;.

What is the difference between a pointer and a reference?

A pointer can be reassigned to point to different variables, while a reference is an alias for a variable and cannot be changed after initialization.

How do I dynamically allocate memory using pointers?

You can use the new keyword to allocate memory dynamically. For example, int* arr = new int[10]; allocates an array of 10 integers.

What should I do to avoid memory leaks when using pointers?

Always remember to free the memory using delete or delete[] after you're done using it to avoid memory leaks.