Where Should the Asterisk Go When Declaring Pointers in C/C ?

Pointer Declaration in C/C : Placement of Asterisk

In C/C , there are two distinct notations for declaring pointer variables:

• Notation (a): char* p;
• Notation (b): char *p;

The placement of the asterisk (*) in these notations has been a subject of debate among programmers.

Rational Behind Notation (a)

Notation (a) is sometimes used because it follows the grammar rules of C/C . In the declaration char* p;, the asterisk is associated with the variable name p. This implies that *p is of type char.

Case for Notation (b)

However, many programmers prefer Notation (b) for several reasons:

• It emphasizes the type of the pointer variable. char *p; clearly indicates that p is a pointer to a char variable.
• It follows the "Rule of Three" in C . In C , the * operator typically denotes a pointer, the & operator denotes a reference, and the [] operator denotes an array. Placing the asterisk next to the type in a pointer declaration aligns with this convention.
• It enhances readability when declaring multiple pointers simultaneously. For example, char *c, *d; is easier to read than char* c, *d;.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the choice between Notation (a) and Notation (b) is a matter of style and preference. However, C 's emphasis on types makes Notation (b) a more logical and intuitive approach.

The above is the detailed content of Where Should the Asterisk Go When Declaring Pointers in C/C ?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!