Pointer Arithmetic
Pointer Arithmetic Program in C++
BeginnerTopic: Memory Management Programs
C++ Pointer Arithmetic Program
This program helps you to learn the fundamental structure and syntax of C++ programming.
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
int arr[] = {10, 20, 30, 40, 50};
int* ptr = arr; // Points to first element
cout << "Array elements using pointer arithmetic:" << endl;
// Access elements using pointer
for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
cout << "arr[" << i << "] = " << *(ptr + i) << endl;
cout << "Address: " << (ptr + i) << endl;
}
cout << "\nIncrementing pointer:" << endl;
ptr = arr; // Reset to beginning
for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
cout << "Value: " << *ptr << ", Address: " << ptr << endl;
ptr++; // Move to next element
}
cout << "\nDecrementing pointer:" << endl;
ptr--; // Now points to last element
for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
cout << "Value: " << *ptr << ", Address: " << ptr << endl;
ptr--; // Move to previous element
}
return 0;
}Output
Array elements using pointer arithmetic: arr[0] = 10 Address: 0x7fff5fbff6a0 arr[1] = 20 Address: 0x7fff5fbff6a4 arr[2] = 30 Address: 0x7fff5fbff6a8 arr[3] = 40 Address: 0x7fff5fbff6ac arr[4] = 50 Address: 0x7fff5fbff6b0 Incrementing pointer: Value: 10, Address: 0x7fff5fbff6a0 Value: 20, Address: 0x7fff5fbff6a4 Value: 30, Address: 0x7fff5fbff6a8 Value: 40, Address: 0x7fff5fbff6ac Value: 50, Address: 0x7fff5fbff6b0 Decrementing pointer: Value: 50, Address: 0x7fff5fbff6b0 Value: 40, Address: 0x7fff5fbff6ac Value: 30, Address: 0x7fff5fbff6a8 Value: 20, Address: 0x7fff5fbff6a4 Value: 10, Address: 0x7fff5fbff6a0
Understanding Pointer Arithmetic
Pointer arithmetic allows you to perform operations on pointers. When you add/subtract integers to/from pointers, the address changes by the size of the data type. For example, ptr + 1 moves to the next element. This is useful for traversing arrays efficiently. Pointer arithmetic respects data type sizes.
Note: To write and run C++ programs, you need to set up the local environment on your computer. Refer to the complete article Setting up C++ Development Environment. If you do not want to set up the local environment on your computer, you can also use online IDE to write and run your C++ programs.