Pointer C - declaration

Question

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In C, what is the correct syntax for declaring pointers?

I am fighting with the c language. Pointers are new to me, and I think I am getting closer and closer to understanding them.

I have though one questions.

What is the difference between:

int k = 4;
int* pcp = &k;

and

int k = 4;
int *pcp = &k;

I cant seem to find any difference between these declarations of the pointer, is it just syntactical sugar - or is there any difference?

Thanks

The only difference is where the space is put. Semantically, they're identical. — Daniel Fischer, Sep 27 '12 at 17:30
It's not "syntactical sugar" ... that's not at all what that term means. And this has nothing to do with pointers ... — Jim Balter, Sep 27 '12 at 17:50

score 5 · Accepted Answer · answered Sep 27 '12 at 17:30

5

There is no difference in those declarations, but there is a difference between the following two declarations:

int* p, p2;  // declares a pointer to int and a regular int

and:

int *p, *p2; // declares two pointers to int

that might be hidden by your example.

So I prefer the second declaration.

answered Sep 27 '12 at 17:30

pb2q

2

That's why it's usually preferred to glue the `*` to the variable name -- `int* p, p2;` is painful. – David Schwartz Sep 27 '12 at 17:32
@DavidSchwartz No, it is usually preferred to use separate declarations for each pointer, and to glue the '*' to the base type because that's where it belongs. – Jim Balter Sep 27 '12 at 17:52

score -2 · Answer 2 · answered Sep 27 '12 at 17:30

-2

you can try it out yourself. just type both, printf it and see what happens :P

if i'm not terribly mistaken though, it's the same ;)

answered Sep 27 '12 at 17:30

foaly

2 Answers2