C++ operators ->

Question

can someone please explain what -> operator does in C++?

Example below:

struct X{ int a[sz];}

void print(X* x){
for(int i =0; i<sz; i++){
    cout << x->a[i] << ' '; // -> is like dereference??

My guess is that it assigns index i in array a with the value of the object that x is pointed to.

You could look at a precedence table and search it by name. There are many, many explanations on the Internet and in any C++ book that dares call itself that, and it has been asked quite a few times on here. — chris, Jul 10 '13 at 10:19
There is no assignment going on. You should read an introductory C++ book. — juanchopanza, Jul 10 '13 at 10:20

score 2 · Accepted Answer · edited Jul 10 '13 at 11:17

2

It is a member operator which is used to reference individual members of classes, structures, and unions. Unlike the '.' operator in Java, in C++ it is used only for Object pointers.

edited Jul 10 '13 at 11:17

NREZ

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answered Jul 10 '13 at 10:20

Hitesh Vaghani

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I see, I come from a Java background and have only begun C++ 3 days ago. So the -> operator is used as a way to access a class's members in java? In java it would be like SomeClass.intMember .... In C++ it would be SomeClass->intMember .... – SeekingAlpha Jul 10 '13 at 10:28
@MarcoSusilo, In C++ `.` is for objects, `->` is for pointers. It's just a syntax sugar. You could rewrite `ptr -> member` as `(*ptr).member`. – awesoon Jul 10 '13 at 10:33

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 10 '13 at 10:22

0

a is a member element of struct X. -> operator is used to access members from a pointer to structure. I'd recommend that you pick up a good book on C/C++ and read about structures.

answered Jul 10 '13 at 10:22

patentfox

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C++ operators ->

2 Answers2