Pointers: Tic-Tac-Toe 2.0

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Pointers: Tic-Tac-Toe 2.0

Pointers are a powerful part of C++. In some ways, they behave like iterators from the STL. Often, you can use them in place of references. But pointers offer functionality that no other part of the language can. In this chapter, you’ll learn the basic mechanics of pointers and get an idea of what they’re good for. Specifically, you’ll learn to:‌

n Declare and initialize pointers

n Dereference pointers

n Use constants and pointers

n Pass and return pointers

n Work with pointers and arrays

Understanding Pointer Basics Introducing the Pointing Program Declaring Pointers Initializing Pointers Assigning Addresses to Pointers Dereferencing Pointers Reassigning Pointers Using Pointers to Objects Understanding Pointers and Constants Using a Constant Pointer Using a Pointer to a Constant Using a Constant Pointer to a Constant Summarizing Constants and Pointers Passing Pointers Introducing the Swap Pointer Version Program Passing by Value Passing a Constant Pointer Returning Pointers Introducing the Inventory Pointer Program Returning a Pointer Using a Returned Pointer to Display a Value Assigning a Returned Pointer to a Pointer Assigning to a Variable the Value Pointed to by a Returned Pointer Altering an Object through a Returned Pointer Understanding the Relationship between Pointers and Arrays Introducing the Array Passer Program Using an Array Name as a Constant Pointer Passing and Returning Arrays Introducing the Tic-Tac-Toe 2.0 Game Summary Questions and Answers Discussion Questions Exercises

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