Null Pointer in C++

Null Pointers Definition :

Null 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.

Null Pointer in C++

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

Run
#include <iostream> 
using namespace std;
int main()
{
    int var1 = 3;
    int var2 = 24;
    int var3 = 17;
    cout << "Address of var1 = "<< &var1 << endl;
    cout << "Address of var2 = " << &var2 << endl;
    cout << "Address of var3 = " << &var3 << endl;
}

Output :

Address of var1 = 0x7ffc4b75300c
Address of var2 = 0x7ffc4b753010
Address of var3 = 0x7ffc4b753014

Uses of Null 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.

Null 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.

Run
#include  <iostream> 
using namespace std;
int main()
{
  int var = 5;
  int *pointVar;
  pointVar = &var;
  cout << "var = " << var << endl;
  cout << "Address of var (&var) = " << &var << endl << endl;
  cout << "pointVar = " << pointVar << endl;
  cout << "Content of the address pointed to by pointVar (*pointVar) = " <<
    *pointVar << endl;
  return 0;
}

Output :

var = 5
Address of var (&var) = 0x7fff28c63f7c

pointVar = 0x7fff28c63f7c
Content of the address pointed to by pointVar (*pointVar) = 5

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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