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C++ Fundamentals · Arrays & Pointers · Lesson 17 of 24

Introduction to Pointers

Concept

Introduction to Pointers

A pointer stores the memory address of a variable. The ampersand gets an address, and the asterisk dereferences a pointer to get its value.

By the end of this lesson
  • Explain the core idea behind Introduction to Pointers.
  • Predict output before running a change.
  • Test one realistic and one unusual input.
  • Use the result to make the next decision.
How to study this page
  1. 1. Read one concept.
  2. 2. Change the example.
  3. 3. Run, compare, and explain.
  4. 4. Complete the challenge below.
ExampleRunnable
int x = 10;
int* p = &x;
std::cout << *p << std::endl;
Try it Yourself »
Self-check before continuing

Without looking at the example, describe what changes when you modify one input in Introduction to Pointers. Then reopen the editor and prove your explanation with a small test.

You are ready to continue when you can predict, test, and explain the result.

Your turn

Declare a pointer to an int variable and print the value it points to.

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Console

Output will appear here...