C++ pointers difference between * and ->

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C++: ptr->hello(); /* VERSUS */ (*ptr).hello();

Too bad I can't google this...

Could someone explain or point me to where I can find the difference between these two? I understand * is a dereferencing operator, what about the -> ? What's the difference?

i fear answering this due to your rep points inflicting curses — Nick Rolando, Oct 07 '11 at 00:22

score 4 · Accepted Answer · answered Oct 07 '11 at 00:23

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a->b is a syntactic sugar for (*a).b

The only special case is the object operator-> which is called when -> is used on an object. It can be used to "simulate" the object is a pointer ( as with smart references )

answered Oct 07 '11 at 00:23

crazyjul

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(*a).b is syntactic sugar for a->b. – Captain Giraffe Oct 07 '11 at 01:34

score 4 · Answer 2 · answered Oct 07 '11 at 00:23

4

In the absence of overloading operator->, p->x is equivalent to (*p).x

answered Oct 07 '11 at 00:23

Stuart Golodetz

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C++ pointers difference between * and ->

2 Answers2

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