Indirect Addressing – Pointers

This chapter will provide a thorough understanding of how to utilize pointers in C++. Though it is assumed that you have some prior experience with indirect addressing, we will start at the beginning. Pointers are a ground-level and pervasive feature of the language – one you must thoroughly understand and be able to utilize with ease. Many other languages use indirect addressing through references alone; however, in C++ you must roll up your sleeves and understand how to use and return heap memory correctly and effectively with pointers. You will see pointers heavily used throughout code from other programmers; there is no sensible way to ignore their use. Misusing pointers can create the most difficult errors to find in a program. A thorough understanding of indirect addressing using pointers is a necessity in C++ to create successful and maintainable code.

In this chapter, you will additionally preview the concept of a smart pointer...