Sams Teach Yourself C++ in 21 Days , Fifth Edition

Day 8. Understanding Pointers

One of the powerful but low-level tools available to a C++ programmer is the capability to manipulate computer memory directly by using pointers. This is an advantage that C++ has over some other languages, such as C# and Visual Basic.

Today, you will learn

• What pointers are

• How to declare and use pointers

• What the free store is and how to manipulate memory

Pointers present two special challenges when you’re learning C++: They can be somewhat confusing, and it isn’t immediately obvious why they are needed. Today’s lesson explains how pointers work, step-by-step. You will fully understand the need for pointers, however, only as the book progresses.

Note

The ability to use pointers and manipulate memory at ...