What are the best practices for pointer arithmetic in C++?

What are the best practices for pointer arithmetic in C++?

When using pointer arithmetic in C++, it's important to ensure that you stay within the bounds of the allocated memory. Always check that your pointers are not null and that you do not exceed the array limits.

Can you give me an example of safe pointer arithmetic?

Sure! If you have an array like int arr[5], you can safely use pointer arithmetic like this: int* ptr = arr; and then ptr + 2 will point to the third element. Just make sure not to go beyond ptr + 5.

What should I avoid when using pointers?

Avoid using pointers that point to deallocated memory, and be cautious with pointer arithmetic that can lead to accessing out-of-bounds memory. Always initialize your pointers.

Are there any tools to help with pointer management?

Yes, tools like Valgrind can help detect memory leaks and invalid memory access, which are common issues with pointer usage.