Pointer Arithmetic vs Array Indexing

What is the difference between pointer arithmetic and array indexing in C?

Pointer arithmetic involves manipulating the memory address directly, while array indexing uses the array's base address and an index to access elements.

Can you give me an example of how pointer arithmetic works?

Sure! If you have an integer array int arr[5], using *(arr + 2) accesses the third element, equivalent to arr[2].

Are there any performance differences between the two methods?

In most cases, they perform similarly, but pointer arithmetic can be slightly faster as it avoids the index calculation overhead.

When should I use one method over the other?

Use pointer arithmetic when you need more control over memory and performance, and array indexing for readability and simplicity.