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;.

How do I access the value stored at the pointer's address?

You can access the value using the dereference operator *. For example, int value = *ptr; retrieves the value at the address stored in ptr.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when using pointers?

Common mistakes include dereferencing null pointers, forgetting to free dynamically allocated memory, and pointer arithmetic errors.