Pointers in C++

Pointers are a key feature within the C++ programming language. Pointers are variable used to point to different data within a program. An analogy used to describe pointers is that your address is a pointer to your home. The pointer has its own memory address. Pointers must be initialized to a specific data type. A pointer of type int can only point to int data, while a pointer of type string can only point to data of type string. Pointers are used for many different uses within C++.

One of the most essential uses of a pointer is to use it to point to the different elements of an array of dynamic memory. Dynamic memory is memory created with the new operator which enables you to easily remove the memory after it is no longer necessary for to the program. This is necessary in C++ because it does not have garbage collection. This makes the pointer essential to programming in C++. Once memory is dynamically allocated you can reference it using the pointer. The use of the pointer to reference the memory saves memory space and allows the programmer to function at a higher efficiency than if programmed without the use of the pointer and dynamic memory allocation.