C Pointers

Pointers

C Pointers

A pointer is a variable in C, and pointers value is the address of a memory location.

Pointer Definition in C

Syntax:

type *variable_name;

Example:

int  *width;
char  *letter;

Benefits of using Pointers in C

• Pointers allows passing of arrays and strings to functions more efficiently.
• Pointers makes possible to return more than one value from the function.
• Pointers reduce the length and complexity of program.
• Pointers increase the processing speed.
• Pointers save the memory.

How to use Pointers in C

Example:

#include<stdio.h>

int main ()
{
   int  n = 20, *pntr;  /* actual and pointer variable declaration */

   pntr = &n;  /* store address of n in pointer variable*/

   printf("Address of n variable: %x\n", &n  );

   /* address stored in pointer variable */
   printf("Address stored in pntr variable: %x\n", pntr );

   /* access the value using the pointer */
   printf("Value of *pntr variable: %d\n", *pntr );

   return 0;
}

Address of n variable: 2cb60f04

Address stored in pntr variable: 2cb60f04

Value of *pntr variable: 20

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