When Should You Use `(*a).b` Instead of `a->b` in C ?

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Using *a.b Instead of the Arrow Operator

In C , the arrow operator (->) is commonly used to access members of a class from a pointer to an object of that class. However, it's important to know that there is an alternative syntax that can accomplish the same functionality.

The Equivalence

The arrow operator (->) is synonymous with the expression (*a).b, where a is a pointer to an object of class A. This means that the following two expressions are equivalent:

a->b;
(*a).b;

Advantages of *a.b

While the arrow operator is a convenient shorthand, there are certain advantages to using *a.b:

• Clarity: The expression (*a).b explicitly indicates that it is operating on a pointer. This can be beneficial in code where pointer usage might not be immediately apparent.
• Operator Overloading: The dot operator (.) can be overloaded for user-defined types, allowing custom behavior when accessing members. However, the arrow operator (->) cannot be overloaded, and therefore does not support custom member access operations.

When to Use the Arrow Operator

Despite the potential advantages of *a.b, the arrow operator is generally preferred for accessing members of a class from a pointer due to its brevity and readability. However, in certain situations where clarity or extensibility is desired, using *a.b can be a more appropriate choice.

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