Pointer in c

  • A pointer is a variable that holds a memory address. A pointer can have any name that is legal for other variable, and it is declared in the same fashion like other variables but it is always declared by * operator.
  • A Pointer in C language is a variable which holds the address of another variable of same data type.
  • Pointers are used to access memory and manipulate the address.Pointers are one of the most distinct and exciting features of C language.
  • It provides power and flexibility to the language.
  • Although pointers may appear a little confusing and complicated in the beginning, but trust me, once you understand the concept, you will be able to do so much more with C language.

Features of pointers

  • Pointers save the memory space.
  • Execution time with pointer is faster because data is manipulated with the address, i.e. direct access to memory location.
  • The memory is accessed efficiently with the pointers. The pointer assigns the memory space and also it releases. The memory is dynamically allocated.
  • Pointers are used with data structures. They are useful for representing two-dimensional and multi-dimensional arrays.
  • We can access elements of any type of array irrespective of its subscript range.
  • Pointers are used in file handling.
  • Pointers are used to allocate memory dynamically.

    Example:

    #include <stdio.h>
int main()
{
   //Variable declaration
   int num = 10;

   //Pointer declaration
   int *p;

   //Assigning address of num to the pointer p
   p = #

   printf("Address of variable num is: %p", p);
   return 0;
}

    Output:

    Address of variable num is: 0x7fff5694dc58