Pointers

Question 1

What is a pointer

Answer 1

A pointer is any variable that holds the address of another variable

Question 2

Suppose we define three pointers:
char *mychar
short *myshort
long *mylong

and that we know that they point to memory locations 1000, 2000 and 3000 respectively. What is mychar++;
myshort++;
mylong++;

Answer 2

1001
2002
3004

Question 3

What is a void pointer

Answer 3

Void pointer is a special type of pointer that is allowed to point to any data type; from an integer value or float to a string.

Question 4

What is the main limitation of void pointers

Answer 4

The data pointed by them cannot be DIRECTLY dereferenced.

Question 5

What is a null pointer

Answer 5

A null pointer is a regular pointer that is of any type which has a special value that indicates that it is not pointing to any valid reference or memory address.

Question 6

Give a syntax example of a null pointer.

Answer 6

int *p
*p = 0; // p has a null pointer value

OR
*p = NULL // p has a null pointer value

Question 7

What is dynamic memory allocation

Answer 7

This refers to performing memory allocation manually by a programmer

Question 8

Dynamic memory is allocated using what operator? Give its syntax

Answer 8

operator : new

syntax:
pointer = new type
pointer = new type[number of elements]