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+ 3

Pointers going crazy?

When I use int* p = new int; *p = 32; int pp = *p++; cout<<*p I expect to see output 32 but I get a weird result which varies. Can anyone help describe why this happens?

19th Nov 2016, 7:27 AM
Deformer Gaming
Deformer Gaming - avatar
3 Answers
+ 7
I think int pp=*p++; Is the problem. It must be evaluated as *(p++) So pointer p moves to next memory location. say p was pointing to memory location 1012. p++ will make the pointer shift by data type size. Here data type is int having size 2. So you are getting weird and different results all time. Use int pp=(*p)++; EDIT: You can confirm what I told by using arrays. array reserves a continuous memory so if pointer moves to next array address you before hand know what is the output.
19th Nov 2016, 9:41 AM
Megatron
Megatron - avatar
0
Hi, i played a little with your question... but I still can't explain what's happening to the value p is pointing to, when pp1 = *p++ is evaluated. analyzing the output it's obvious, that the initial value that p is pointing to is stored into pp1. but what happens then to the value in *p? int *p = new int; // request memory *p = 5; // store value cout<< "initial value stored in p: "; cout << *p << endl; // use value int pp1 = *p++; cout<< "pp1 = *p++: " << endl; cout<< "value stored in pp1: "; cout << pp1 << endl; // show value cout<< "value stored in p now: "; cout << *p << endl; // use value int pp2 = (*p)++; cout<< "pp1 = (*p)++: " << endl; cout<< "value stored in pp2 = (*p)++: "; cout << pp2 << endl; // show value cout<< "value stored in p now: "; cout << *p << endl; // use value
21st Nov 2016, 5:13 AM
Mechmania
Mechmania - avatar
0
Check my profile for code. I have explored what the problem was. Megatron is absolutely right.👍
25th Nov 2016, 1:44 PM
Deformer Gaming
Deformer Gaming - avatar