Skip to content
  • Categories
  • Recent
  • Tags
  • Popular
  • World
  • Users
  • Groups
Skins
  • Light
  • Cerulean
  • Cosmo
  • Flatly
  • Journal
  • Litera
  • Lumen
  • Lux
  • Materia
  • Minty
  • Morph
  • Pulse
  • Sandstone
  • Simplex
  • Sketchy
  • Spacelab
  • United
  • Yeti
  • Zephyr
  • Dark
  • Cyborg
  • Darkly
  • Quartz
  • Slate
  • Solar
  • Superhero
  • Vapor

  • Default (No Skin)
  • No Skin
Collapse
Code Project
  1. Home
  2. The Lounge
  3. I was going to write an article about how pointers aren't confusing

I was going to write an article about how pointers aren't confusing

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved The Lounge
json
54 Posts 26 Posters 0 Views 1 Watching
  • Oldest to Newest
  • Newest to Oldest
  • Most Votes
Reply
  • Reply as topic
Log in to reply
This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
  • M Maximilien

    They're not confusing at all. ( I removed the link ) use the wikipedia instead : [Pointer (dog breed) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pointer\_(dog\_breed))

    I'd rather be phishing!

    N Offline
    N Offline
    Nelek
    wrote on last edited by
    #26

    My antivirus started to ring bells with that link. Just in case, don't visit it. https://static.searchiq.cc/js/2.2.57/sa.js Name of the thread: JS:Trojan.JS.Downloader.DOY Really sad if we can't trust the links of other old CPians in the lounge to webs that shouldn't be dangerous :sigh: :sigh: :sigh:

    M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.

    M 1 Reply Last reply
    0
    • H honey the codewitch

      Until I realized in the process of trying to explain them that they probably are. Just because I find something intuitive doesn't mean I can make it intuitive to others. :doh: The secret with pointers is to enjoy the freedom they bring you rather than fearing the danger they present. Aside from that, the rest is details.

      Real programmers use butterflies

      S Offline
      S Offline
      Southmountain
      wrote on last edited by
      #27

      look forward to see your this article!:rose:

      diligent hands rule....

      1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • H honey the codewitch

        Until I realized in the process of trying to explain them that they probably are. Just because I find something intuitive doesn't mean I can make it intuitive to others. :doh: The secret with pointers is to enjoy the freedom they bring you rather than fearing the danger they present. Aside from that, the rest is details.

        Real programmers use butterflies

        C Offline
        C Offline
        CPallini
        wrote on last edited by
        #28

        Pointers are evil... ...evil is fun.

        "In testa che avete, Signor di Ceprano?" -- Rigoletto

        H 1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • C CPallini

          Pointers are evil... ...evil is fun.

          "In testa che avete, Signor di Ceprano?" -- Rigoletto

          H Offline
          H Offline
          honey the codewitch
          wrote on last edited by
          #29

          But they're so cute and cuddly. Especially my precious little void*. Who's a good little typeless pointer? YOU ARE!

          Real programmers use butterflies

          C 1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • N Nelek

            My antivirus started to ring bells with that link. Just in case, don't visit it. https://static.searchiq.cc/js/2.2.57/sa.js Name of the thread: JS:Trojan.JS.Downloader.DOY Really sad if we can't trust the links of other old CPians in the lounge to webs that shouldn't be dangerous :sigh: :sigh: :sigh:

            M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.

            M Offline
            M Offline
            Maximilien
            wrote on last edited by
            #30

            weird, it passed out over zealous web nanny on my office computer. I removed the link and put the wikipedia link instead. :thumbsup:

            I'd rather be phishing!

            N 1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • H honey the codewitch

              Until I realized in the process of trying to explain them that they probably are. Just because I find something intuitive doesn't mean I can make it intuitive to others. :doh: The secret with pointers is to enjoy the freedom they bring you rather than fearing the danger they present. Aside from that, the rest is details.

              Real programmers use butterflies

              Sander RosselS Offline
              Sander RosselS Offline
              Sander Rossel
              wrote on last edited by
              #31

              I guess your article should point that out ;p

              Best, Sander Azure DevOps Succinctly (free eBook) Azure Serverless Succinctly (free eBook) Migrating Apps to the Cloud with Azure arrgh.js - Bringing LINQ to JavaScript

              1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • H honey the codewitch

                But they're so cute and cuddly. Especially my precious little void*. Who's a good little typeless pointer? YOU ARE!

                Real programmers use butterflies

                C Offline
                C Offline
                CPallini
                wrote on last edited by
                #32

                Quote:

                Especially my precious little void*

                No, that's the Mother Of All The Evil, and your really don't need it in C++.

                "In testa che avete, Signor di Ceprano?" -- Rigoletto

                1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • M Mike Hankey

                  Pointers are powerful and easy to use can lead to disaster when not used correctly, as can be seen when trying to debug a pointer problem.

                  I'm not sure how many cookies it makes to be happy, but so far it's not 27. JaxCoder.com

                  U Offline
                  U Offline
                  User 13269747
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #33

                  Quote:

                  Pointers are powerful and easy to use can lead to disaster when not used correctly, as can be seen when trying to debug a pointer problem.

                  Anyone trying to debug pointer problems without using valgrind is probably a masochist.

                  M 1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • U User 13269747

                    Quote:

                    Pointers are powerful and easy to use can lead to disaster when not used correctly, as can be seen when trying to debug a pointer problem.

                    Anyone trying to debug pointer problems without using valgrind is probably a masochist.

                    M Offline
                    M Offline
                    Mike Hankey
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #34

                    Had never heard of Valgrind.

                    I'm not sure how many cookies it makes to be happy, but so far it's not 27. JaxCoder.com

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • K Kris Lantz

                      My confusion with pointers started very early this morning, since I read the subject as, 'printers aren't confusing.' Time for coffee...

                      B Offline
                      B Offline
                      BryanFazekas
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #35

                      Kris Lantz wrote:

                      Time for coffee...

                      Why did you do that? The only thing you should do before drinking coffee is making coffee. Any other action is futile, except you won't be assimilated. :laugh:

                      K R 2 Replies Last reply
                      0
                      • M Maximilien

                        They're not confusing at all. ( I removed the link ) use the wikipedia instead : [Pointer (dog breed) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pointer\_(dog\_breed))

                        I'd rather be phishing!

                        W Offline
                        W Offline
                        W Balboos GHB
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #36

                        I thought about that pointer, yesterday, but thought it would destroy the tattered remains of my reputation. Perhaps that is why you can use a pointer to fetch data.

                        Ravings en masse^

                        "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

                        "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • B BryanFazekas

                          Kris Lantz wrote:

                          Time for coffee...

                          Why did you do that? The only thing you should do before drinking coffee is making coffee. Any other action is futile, except you won't be assimilated. :laugh:

                          K Offline
                          K Offline
                          Kris Lantz
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #37

                          On the weekends, coffee enjoyment is top of the list. The weekdays are a bit more chaotic, and coffee may not be had until about a half hour after getting to work. :^)

                          B 1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • M Maximilien

                            weird, it passed out over zealous web nanny on my office computer. I removed the link and put the wikipedia link instead. :thumbsup:

                            I'd rather be phishing!

                            N Offline
                            N Offline
                            Nelek
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #38

                            I suppose it was a google ad or similar... they don't necessarily have to be the same for you as for me or when you took the link as to when I visited the site.

                            M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • H honey the codewitch

                              Until I realized in the process of trying to explain them that they probably are. Just because I find something intuitive doesn't mean I can make it intuitive to others. :doh: The secret with pointers is to enjoy the freedom they bring you rather than fearing the danger they present. Aside from that, the rest is details.

                              Real programmers use butterflies

                              S Offline
                              S Offline
                              sam silvercreek
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #39

                              I remember learning pointers being a real "light bulb" type of learning experience for me. I felt like I was banging my head against a wall trying to figure them out, then with a single revelation, they suddenly made complete sense to me. I've never been able to figure out what caused that revelation.

                              H 1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • S sam silvercreek

                                I remember learning pointers being a real "light bulb" type of learning experience for me. I felt like I was banging my head against a wall trying to figure them out, then with a single revelation, they suddenly made complete sense to me. I've never been able to figure out what caused that revelation.

                                H Offline
                                H Offline
                                honey the codewitch
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #40

                                I've had several of those epiphanies in development over the years. Like when I finally understood COM on its terms (a binary vtbl based contract) I really enjoy them. I can't remember if pointers was one because it was so long ago.

                                Real programmers use butterflies

                                S 1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • K Kris Lantz

                                  My confusion with pointers started very early this morning, since I read the subject as, 'printers aren't confusing.' Time for coffee...

                                  E Offline
                                  E Offline
                                  etkid84
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #41

                                  Funny you should mention printers. Getting a printer fixed at a large corporation takes an army of people and a week of emails. Perhaps there is a Dilbert comic strip about it. :java:

                                  ~d~

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • H honey the codewitch

                                    I've had several of those epiphanies in development over the years. Like when I finally understood COM on its terms (a binary vtbl based contract) I really enjoy them. I can't remember if pointers was one because it was so long ago.

                                    Real programmers use butterflies

                                    S Offline
                                    S Offline
                                    sam silvercreek
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #42

                                    I know what you mean, but my "pointer epiphany" was memorable enough to still be clear to me more than 30 years later... now if I could just remember where I put my glasses.

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • B BryanFazekas

                                      Kris Lantz wrote:

                                      Time for coffee...

                                      Why did you do that? The only thing you should do before drinking coffee is making coffee. Any other action is futile, except you won't be assimilated. :laugh:

                                      R Offline
                                      R Offline
                                      richwfowler
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #43

                                      Even better -- visit your favorite coffee shop. :-)

                                      1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • K Kris Lantz

                                        On the weekends, coffee enjoyment is top of the list. The weekdays are a bit more chaotic, and coffee may not be had until about a half hour after getting to work. :^)

                                        B Offline
                                        B Offline
                                        BryanFazekas
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #44

                                        Kris Lantz wrote:

                                        The weekdays are a bit more chaotic, and coffee may not be had until about a half hour after getting to work

                                        Make coffee at home and bring a travel mug? All jokes aside, sipping my coffee while reading morning emails helps me settle my mind and prepare for the work day. For me there is a settling effect in sipping coffee, even during an ugly commute. I normally work early hours, so the commute isn't as ugly in the AM as the PM, and the folks in the office at my arrival time are doing the same as me, so there is not usually immediate chaos. [Anyone who arrives to immediate chaos appreciates this.] However -- these days, going to work consists of getting up, starting a pot of coffee, and then logging in. My commute is 35 steps instead of 34 miles. I really appreciate WFH!!!

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • H honey the codewitch

                                          Until I realized in the process of trying to explain them that they probably are. Just because I find something intuitive doesn't mean I can make it intuitive to others. :doh: The secret with pointers is to enjoy the freedom they bring you rather than fearing the danger they present. Aside from that, the rest is details.

                                          Real programmers use butterflies

                                          M Offline
                                          M Offline
                                          Martin ISDN
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #45

                                          the C abstract machine there is no problem with pointers if you look straight at them. the problem is when somebody tries to wrap them in some obscured "politically correct" story that doesn't hurt a chipmunk if you step on it. i know this line is confusing, but Pascal was my first programing language and when the time came to grow up and use pointers normally i reached for a Pascal programming book... well, that book in it's chapter of pointers had everything else, about lists, about binary trees... but i could not tell what pointers are. i mean, the person who wrote that book constantly repeated how pointers are really useful although you should avoid to use them as much as possible... he doesn't know about pointers. then i read a chapter about pointers from a C tutorial and everything became crystal clear. there was i happy and using pointers in Pascal. the same thing was with win32 programming. you can not learn it from a Delphi book, you need a C book for that. but you can sure as hell do that in Pascal as good (or better) as in C if you learn the right way. pointers are a fundamental thing. the 8086 processor has a few general purpose registers and about the same number of Index registers. out of this bunch SI and DI are your pointers. and i bet you will understand pointers even better if you learn assembly than C, but C is good enough.

                                          H 1 Reply Last reply
                                          0
                                          Reply
                                          • Reply as topic
                                          Log in to reply
                                          • Oldest to Newest
                                          • Newest to Oldest
                                          • Most Votes


                                          • Login

                                          • Don't have an account? Register

                                          • Login or register to search.
                                          • First post
                                            Last post
                                          0
                                          • Categories
                                          • Recent
                                          • Tags
                                          • Popular
                                          • World
                                          • Users
                                          • Groups