Pointers In C
Pointers Definition :
Pointers in C language are is nothing but sort of like a variable which works like a locator/indicator to an address values (hence the name pointer).It helps in reducing the code and returning multiple values from a function.
Syntax Of Pointers In C :
datatype * var_name;
The * operator creates a pointer variable, which points to a data type (like an int) of the same type.The pointer is given the address of the variable you are working with.
Example :
In the below example, pointer is the address of the variable while *pointer and val print the value of the variable
#include <stdio.h>
int main()
{
int val = 40;
int* pointer; // declaration of pointer
pointer = &val;
printf("1. Value at pointer = %p \n", pointer);
printf("2. Value at val = %d \n", val);
printf("3. Value at *pointer = %d \n", *pointer);
return 0;
}
Output :
1. Value at pointer = 0x7fff0bf90d7c 2. Value at val = 40 3. Value at *pointer = 40
Uses of Pointers :
- to pass references for arguments
- In order to access array items
- numerous values to be returned
- Allocating memory dynamically
- Data structures can be implemented easily.
- Very easy to access memory address by Pointers.
Pointer Arithmetic :
Arithmetic of Pointers is different from integer. The following arithmetic of pointer are :
- Increment/Decrement of Pointer.
- Addition/ subtraction of integer to a Pointer.
Example :
In the below program, pointers are used to print the value of array elements.
#include<stdio.h>
int main()
{
int arr[4] = { 10, 20, 30, 40 };
int* ptr;
ptr = arr;
printf("Elements of the array are: ");
printf("%d, %d, %d, %d",ptr[0],ptr[1],ptr[2], ptr[3]);
return 0;
}
Output :
Elements of the array are: 10, 20, 30, 40
Advantages of Pointers in C :
- Arrays can be easily accessed by pointers.
- Memory locations can be easily accessed by pointers.
- Complex data structures can be easily built by the pointers.
Disadvantages of Pointers in C :
- Pointers are hard to understand.
- Pointers are slower than variable in C.
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