C Programming - Pointers - Discussion

Pointer is a specific type of variable that can be used to store the address of other variable. It is always denoted by '*' operator.

Some Features of pointer:

1. Pointer save the memory space.

2. Execution time with pointer is faster because data is manipulated with the address. i.e., direct access to memory location.

Pointer declaration:

Data type *pointer name;.

For example:

void main()
int a=100;
int *p;
p=&a;

In above example 'a' is the integer type of variable and 100 ia the value of that variable. *p is the pointer name. Suppose 4066 is the address of variable 'a'.

In above example p=&a;-in this code pointer p can be use to store the address of variable 'a', means the value of pointer p is 4066 (that is the address of variable 'a').

Can anyone tell me pointer is a variable or operator?

Pointer is a special type of variable which stores address of another variable of same type.