TMF1434: Data Structures and Algorithms

What is the primary function of a pointer variable?

What operator is used to obtain the memory address of a variable?

What is the purpose of the new operator in dynamic memory allocation?

What is the difference between a shallow and deep copy of data?

What is the primary application of dynamic arrays in data structures?

What is the general syntax for declaring a pointer variable?

What is the purpose of the address operator (&) in C++?

What is the difference between the two declarations: int *p, q; and int *p, *q?

What is the correct way to declare two integer pointers p and q?

What is the purpose of the dereference operator (*) in C++?

Pointers and Arrays

A pointer variable is an object that contains the address (not the value) of another variable.
General syntax for declaring a pointer variable: data_type * variable_name;
Example: int *p; declares p as an integer pointer variable that can point to (i.e., contain the address of) an integer object.

Declaring Pointer Variables

The placement of the asterisk is not important to the compiler: int *p;, int* p;, and int * p; are all valid.
However, to avoid ambiguity, attach the asterisk to the variable name: int *p, q; makes p a pointer variable and q an integer variable.
Both p and q are pointer variables of type int when declared as int *p, *q;.

The Address/Reference Operator (&)

The & operator is a unary operator that returns the memory address of its operand (the referent of a).
Example: int x = 25; int *p; p = &x; assigns the address of x to p, making p contain the address of the variable x.

The Dereference Operator (*)

The * operator is a unary operator that gives access to the object to which a pointer points.
It provides the contents of an object pointed to by a pointer.
The dereference operator is also called the indirection operator.
Example: int x = 25; int *p; p = &x; cout << *p; outputs the value of x, which is 25.

Test your understanding of pointers and arrays in data structures, including declaring and manipulating pointer variables, and understanding the address of operator and dereferencing. This quiz covers topics from the textbook 'Data Structures Using C++' by D.S. Malik and 'C++ by Example' by Greg Perry.