C pointer declaration

In the previous chapter we have learnt about Pointer operators supported by C Language. In this chapter we will be learning about declaration of Pointer Variable.

Syntax for Pointer Declaration in C :

data_type  *<pointer_name>;

Explanation :

data_type

• Type of variable that the pointer points to
• OR data type whose address is stored in pointer_name

Asterisk(*)

• Asterisk is called as Indirection Operator
• It is also called as Value at address Operator
• It Indicates Variable declared is of Pointer type

pointer_name

• Must be any Valid C identifier
• Must follow all Rules of Variable name declaration

Ways of Declaring Pointer Variable :

int *p;
int *        p;
int    *  p;

Example of Declaring Integer Pointer :

int n = 20;
int *ptr;

Example of Declaring Character Pointer :

char ch = 'A';
char *cptr;

Example of Declaring Float Pointer :

float fvar = 3.14;
float *fptr;

In the next chapter we will be learning Initialization of Pointer Variable in C Programming.