Module 4: Introduction to Pointers in C++

• First read this page then start coding module with the GitHub classroom link below.
• Github Classroom Link: https://classroom.github.com/a/-MH-w9cd

Overview of Pointers

Pointers are variables that store the memory address of another variable. They are powerful but require careful handling. In this module, we’ll cover:

1. Declaring and initializing pointers.
2. Dereferencing pointers to access or modify the value they point to.

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Exercise 1:

Pointer Declaration and Dereferencing

The code for this exercise is in the exercise1 directory in the module4 repository. Complete the program in pointer_basics.cpp to practice declaring and dereferencing pointers.

1. Declare an integer variable and assign it a value (e.g., int x = 42;).
2. Declare a pointer and initialize it with the address of the integer variable (e.g., int* ptr = &x;).
3. Print the value of the variable using both:
   • The variable itself.
   • The pointer (by dereferencing it).
4. Modify the value of the variable using the pointer, and print the updated value.

When you finish the exercise, write in the README.md file:

• How pointers are declared and initialized.
• What happens when you dereference a pointer.

Example output:

Value of x: 42  
Value of x (via pointer): 42  
Memory address of x: 0x7ffee4bce978  
Updated value of x (via pointer): 99  

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Exercise 2:

Multiple Pointers and Null Pointers

The code for this exercise is in the exercise2 directory in the module4 repository. Complete the program in multi_pointers.cpp to explore working with multiple pointers and null pointers.

1. Declare two integer variables with different values (e.g., int a = 10, b = 20;).
2. Declare two pointers, and initialize each to point to one of the integers.
3. Print the values of both integers using the pointers.
4. Set one pointer to nullptr.
5. Attempt to dereference the nullptr (comment out this line after testing to avoid runtime errors).

When you finish the exercise, write in the README.md file:

• What happens if you attempt to dereference a nullptr.

Example output:

Value of a (via pointer): 10  
Value of b (via pointer): 20  
Setting one pointer to nullptr.  
Attempting to dereference a nullptr.

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