Mastering Pointers to Structures in C++: Unlocking Efficiency and Power

Unlocking the Power of Pointers in C++

When it comes to programming in C++, understanding pointers is crucial. But did you know that pointers can be created not only for built-in types like integers and floats, but also for user-defined types like structures?

Pointers to Structures: A Deeper Look

Let’s dive into an example where we create a pointer to a structure. In this scenario, the address of variable d is stored in the pointer variable ptr, which means ptr is pointing to variable d. Then, we can access the member function of variable d using the pointer.

Key Takeaways

• Since ptr is pointing to variable d, (*ptr).inch and d.inch are equivalent.
• Similarly, (*ptr).feet and d.feet are equivalent.
• Remember that the . operator has a higher precedence than the * operator, so we enclose *ptr in brackets when using (*ptr).inch.

The Arrow (->) Operator: A Shortcut to Success

But there’s an even easier way to access member variables and functions of a structure variable through a pointer: the arrow (->) operator.

Accessing Member Variables with the Arrow Operator

Here’s an example where we use the arrow operator to access the member variable of variable d. The address of variable d is stored in the pointer variable ptr, which means ptr is pointing to variable d. Then, we can access the member variable using the pointer.

Important Note

• (*ptr).inch and ptr->inch are equivalent.

Accessing Member Functions with the Arrow Operator

And it’s not just limited to member variables – we can also use the arrow operator to access member functions of a structure variable through a pointer.

Example Output

In this example, we access the member function of variable d using the pointer.

By mastering pointers and the arrow operator, you’ll unlock a new level of efficiency and power in your C++ programming.