(Pointer | Ptr)
A variable declaration type modifier
Syntax
`
... As DataType {Pointer | Ptr}
`
Description
Declares a pointer variable.
The variable type can be a predefined type or a user-defined type.
`Operator @ (Address Of)` operator or `VarPtr` are used to take the address of a variable. The `Operator * (Value Of)` operator is used to dereference the pointer, that is, access the actual value stored in the memory location the pointer is pointing at.
Example
`
' Create the pointer.
Dim p As Integer Ptr
' Create an integer value that we will point to using pointer "p"
Dim num As Integer = 98845
' Point p towards the memory address that variable "num" occupies.
p = @num
' Print the value stored in memory pointed to by pointer "p"
Print "Pointer 'p' ="; *p
Print
' Print the actual location in memory that pointer "p" points at.
Print "Pointer 'p' points to memory location:"
Print p
`
`
Dim p As ZString Pointer
Dim text As String
text = "Hello World!"
p = StrPtr(text) + 6
Print text
Print *p
'' Output:
'' Hello World!
'' World!
`
`
Type mytype
a As Integer = 12345
End Type
Dim As mytype mt
Dim As mytype Ptr pmt
pmt = @mt
Print (*pmt).a '' or Print pmt->a
'' Output:
'' 12345
`
Dialect Differences

- Not available in the -lang qb dialect unless referenced with the alias `__Pointer` or `__Ptr`.

Differences from QB

- New to FreeBASIC

See also

- `Allocate`