FAQ Part 4: Variables, Pointers, and References
What are variables in C++?
A variable is a named memory location used to store a value of a particular data type.
What are pointers?
Pointers store the memory address of another variable.
int x = 5;
int* ptr = &x;
cout << *ptr; // 5
What is the difference between pointers and references?
| Feature | Pointer | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Syntax | *, & | & only |
| Reassignment | Can be reassigned | Cannot |
| Nullability | Can be null | Must refer to an object |
| Use Cases | More flexible | Safer and simpler for parameter passing |
