Learn Everything about Pointers in C Programming from Yashavant Kanetkar's PDF Free 29

Pointer in C by Yashwant Kanetkar PDF Free 29

If you are looking for a comprehensive guide on pointers in C programming, you might want to check out pointer in c by yashwant kanetkar pdf free 29. This is a popular book written by Yashavant Kanetkar, a renowned author, trainer, speaker, and consultant on various programming languages. In this book, you will learn everything you need to know about pointers in C, from their basics to their advanced applications. You will also get plenty of examples, exercises, solutions, tips, tricks, and best practices to help you master pointers in C.

pointer in c by yashwant kanetkar pdf free 29

In this article, we will give you an overview of what pointers are, why they are important in C programming, how to use them with different data types and constructs, how to avoid common pitfalls and follow best practices, and how to download pointer in c by yashwant kanetkar pdf free 29 online. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of pointers in C and how to use them effectively.

What are pointers and why are they important in C?

A pointer is a special type of variable that stores the address of another variable or memory location. Unlike normal variables that hold values, pointers hold references to other variables or memory locations. This means that pointers can be used to access and manipulate the data stored in those variables or memory locations indirectly.

Pointers are important in C programming for several reasons. First, pointers allow us to perform dynamic memory allocation and deallocation, which means that we can create and destroy variables at runtime according to our needs. This gives us more flexibility and control over the memory usage of our programs. Second, pointers enable us to pass large or complex data structures such as arrays, strings, structures, and functions as arguments to other functions without copying them. This saves us time and space and improves the performance and efficiency of our programs. Third, pointers allow us to implement advanced data structures and algorithms such as linked lists, stacks, queues, trees, graphs, hashing, etc. These data structures and algorithms are essential for solving complex and real-world problems in various domains such as computer science, engineering, mathematics, etc.

How to declare and initialize pointers in C?

To declare a pointer in C, we need to specify the data type of the variable or memory location that the pointer will point to, followed by an asterisk (*), followed by the name of the pointer. For example:

int *p; // p is a pointer to an integer char *q; // q is a pointer to a character float *r; // r is a pointer to a float

To initialize a pointer in C, we need to assign it the address of another variable or memory location using the address-of operator (&). For example:

int x = 10; // x is an integer variable int *p; // p is a pointer to an integer p = &x; // p is assigned the address of x char y = 'a'; // y is a character variable char *q; // q is a pointer to a character q = &y; // q is assigned the address of y float z = 3.14; // z is a float variable float *r; // r is a pointer to a float r = &z; // r is assigned the address of z

To access or modify the data stored in the variable or memory location pointed by a pointer, we need to use the dereference operator (*). For example:

int x = 10; // x is an integer variable int *p; // p is a pointer to an integer p = &x; // p is assigned the address of x printf("%d\n", x); // prints 10 printf("%d\n", *p); // prints 10 *p = 20; // changes the value of x to 20 printf("%d\n", x); // prints 20 printf("%d\n", *p); // prints 20

How to use pointers with arrays, strings, structures, and functions in C?

Pointers can be used with different data types and constructs in C to perform various operations and tasks. In this section, we will discuss how to use pointers with arrays, strings, structures, and functions in C.

Pointers and arrays

An array is a collection of variables of the same data type that are stored in contiguous memory locations. An array can be declared by specifying the data type of its elements, followed by the name of the array, followed by square brackets ([ ]) containing the size of the array. For example:

int arr[5]; // arr is an array of 5 integers

A pointer can be used to access and manipulate the elements of an array by pointing to its first element. The name of an array represents the address of its first element, so we can assign it directly to a pointer of the same data type. For example:

int arr[5] = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; // arr is an array of 5 integers int *p; // p is a pointer to an integer p = arr; // p is assigned the address of arr[0]

To access or modify the elements of an array using a pointer, we can use either the subscript operator ([ ]) or the pointer arithmetic operators (+ and -). For example:

int arr[5] = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; // arr is an array of 5 integers int *p; // p is a pointer to an integer p = arr; // p is assigned the address of arr[0] printf("%d\n", p[0]); // prints 1 printf("%d\n", *(p + 0)); // prints 1 Pointers and strings

A string is a sequence of characters that are stored in an array of type char. A string can be declared by specifying the char data type, followed by the name of the string, followed by square brackets ([ ]) containing the size of the string or empty brackets ([ ]) for automatic size allocation. A string can also be initialized by enclosing the characters in double quotes (" "). For example:

char str[10]; // str is a string of 10 characters char str[] = "Hello"; // str is a string of 6 characters (including the null terminator \0)

A pointer can be used to access and manipulate the characters of a string by pointing to its first character. The name of a string represents the address of its first character, so we can assign it directly to a pointer of type char. For example:

char str[] = "Hello"; // str is a string of 6 characters char *p; // p is a pointer to a character p = str; // p is assigned the address of str[0]

To access or modify the characters of a string using a pointer, we can use either the subscript operator ([ ]) or the pointer arithmetic operators (+ and -). For example:

char str[] = "Hello"; // str is a string of 6 characters char *p; // p is a pointer to a character p = str; // p is assigned the address of str[0] printf("%c\n", p[0]); // prints H printf("%c\n", *(p + 0)); // prints H printf("%c\n", p[1]); // prints e printf("%c\n", *(p + 1)); // prints e p[0] = 'J'; // changes the first character of str to J printf("%s\n", str); // prints Jello *(p + 1) = 'a'; // changes the second character of str to a printf("%s\n", str); // prints Jallo

Pointers and structures

A structure is a user-defined data type that can store different types of variables in a single unit. A structure can be declared by using the keyword struct, followed by the name of the structure, followed by curly braces ( ) containing the declarations of its members, followed by a semicolon (;). A structure can also be defined by using the keyword typedef, which allows us to create an alias for the structure type. For example:

struct student // student is a structure type int roll; // roll is an integer member char name[20]; // name is a string member float marks; // marks is a float member ; typedef struct student Student; // Student is an alias for struct student

A pointer can be used to access and manipulate the members of a structure by pointing to its first member. To create a pointer to a structure, we need to specify the structure type, followed by an asterisk (*), followed by the name of the pointer. To assign a pointer to a structure, we need to use the address-of operator (&) with the name of the structure variable. For example:

struct student s1 = 101, "Alice", 95.5; // s1 is a structure variable struct student *p; // p is a pointer to struct student p = &s1; // p is assigned the address of s1

To access or modify the members of a structure using a pointer, we need to use either the dot operator (.) with parentheses (( )) or the arrow operator (->). For example:

struct student s1 = 101, "Alice", 95.5; // s1 is a structure variable struct student *p; // p is a pointer to struct student p = &s1; // p is assigned the address of s1 printf("%d\n", (*p).roll); // prints 101 printf("%d\n", p->roll); // prints 101 printf("%s\n", (*p).name); // prints Alice printf("%s\n", p->name); // prints Alice printf("%f\n", (*p).marks); // prints 95.5 printf("%f\n", p->marks); // prints 95.5 (*p).roll = 102; // changes the roll of s1 to 102 printf("%d\n", s1.roll); // prints 102 p->name[0] = 'B'; // changes the first character of s1.name to B printf("%s\n", s1.name); // prints Blice

Pointers and functions

A function is a block of code that performs a specific task and can be reused in a program. A function can be declared by specifying the return type of the function, followed by the name of the function, followed by parentheses (( )) containing the parameters of the function, followed by a semicolon (;). A function can also be defined by providing the body of the function within curly braces ( ) after the declaration. For example:

int add(int a, int b); // add is a function that takes two integers and returns an integer int add(int a, int b) // definition of add function return a + b; // returns the sum of a and b

A pointer can be used to pass and return data from functions in C. To pass a pointer as an argument to a function, we need to specify the data type of the pointer, followed by an asterisk (*), followed by the name of the pointer in the parameter list of the function. To return a pointer from a function, we need to specify the data type of the pointer, followed by an asterisk (*), before the name of the function. For example:

void swap(int *a, int *b); // swap is a function that takes two pointers to integers and does not return anything void swap(int *a, int *b) // definition of swap function int temp; // temp is an integer variable temp = *a; // temp is assigned the value pointed by a *a = *b; // the value pointed by a is changed to the value pointed by b *b = temp; // the value pointed by b is changed to temp int *max(int *a, int *b); // max is a function that takes two pointers to integers and returns a pointer to integer int *max(int *a, int *b) { // definition of max function if (*a > *b) // if the value pointed by a is greater than the value pointed by b return a; // return a else // otherwise return b; // return b What are the common pitfalls and best practices of using pointers in C?

Pointers are powerful and useful tools in C programming, but they also come with some challenges and risks. If not used properly, pointers can cause various errors and bugs in our programs that can be hard to detect and fix. In this section, we will discuss some of the common pitfalls and best practices of using pointers in C.

How to avoid dangling, null, and wild pointers in C?

A dangling pointer is a pointer that points to a memory location that has been freed or deallocated. A null pointer is a pointer that points to nothing or has a value of NULL. A wild pointer is a pointer that points to an invalid or random memory location. These types of pointers can cause unexpected behavior, crashes, or security vulnerabilities in our programs.

To avoid dangling pointers, we should always set a pointer to NULL after freeing or deallocating the memory it points to. For example:

int *p = (int *)malloc(sizeof(int)); // p is a pointer to an integer allocated dynamically *p = 10; // p points to an integer with value 10 free(p); // p is freed p = NULL; // p is set to NULL

To avoid null pointers, we should always check if a pointer is NULL before dereferencing it or passing it to a function. For example:

int *p = NULL; // p is a null pointer if (p != NULL) // check if p is not NULL printf("%d\n", *p); // dereference p else // otherwise printf("p is NULL\n"); // print a message

To avoid wild pointers, we should always initialize a pointer with a valid address or NULL when declaring it. We should also avoid using uninitialized or unassigned pointers in our programs. For example:

int *p; // p is an uninitialized pointer int x = 10; // x is an integer variable p = &x; // p is assigned the address of x printf("%d\n", *p); // prints 10

How to prevent memory leaks and segmentation faults in C?

A memory leak is a situation where a program allocates memory dynamically but does not free or deallocate it when it is no longer needed. This causes the program to consume more and more memory over time, which can affect its performance and stability. A segmentation fault is an error that occurs when a program tries to access or modify a memory location that it does not have permission to. This can happen when a program uses an invalid or corrupted pointer, or when it exceeds the bounds of an array or a buffer.

To prevent memory leaks, we should always free or deallocate the memory that we allocate dynamically using functions such as malloc, calloc, realloc, etc. We should also avoid losing the reference to the allocated memory by overwriting or reassigning the pointer that points to it. For example:

int *p = (int *)malloc(sizeof(int)); // p is a pointer to an integer allocated dynamically *p = 10; // p points to an integer with value 10 free(p); // p is freed p = NULL; // p is set to NULL

To prevent segmentation faults, we should always use valid and initialized pointers in our programs. We should also avoid accessing or modifying the memory locations that are out of scope, out of bounds, or protected by the operating system. For example:

int x = 10; // x is an integer variable int *p = &x; // p is a pointer to x printf("%d\n", *p); // prints 10 int y = 20; // y is an integer variable in a block scope p = &y; // p is assigned the address of y printf("%d\n", *p); // prints 20 // end of block scope // p becomes a dangling pointer here as y goes out of scope printf("%d\n", *p); // may cause a segmentation fault

How to follow coding standards and conventions for pointers in C?

Coding standards and conventions are a set of rules and guidelines that help us write clear, consistent, and readable code with pointers in C. Following coding standards and conventions can also help us avoid errors, bugs, and confusion in our programs. Some of the common coding standards and conventions for pointers in C are:

• Use descriptive and meaningful names for pointers and variables.

• Use consistent indentation and spacing for code blocks and statements.

• Use parentheses and brackets to clarify the precedence and order of operations.

• Use comments to explain the logic and purpose of the code.

• Use const qualifier to declare pointers that point to constant or read-only data.

• Use typedef to create aliases for complex or long pointer types.

For example:

// A function that swaps two integers using pointers void swap(int *a, int *b) int temp; // a temporary variable temp = *a; // store the value pointed by a in temp *a = *b; // assign the value pointed by b to the location pointed by a *b = temp; // assign the value in temp to the location pointed by b // A typedef for a pointer to a function that takes two integers and returns an integer typedef int (*func_ptr)(int, int); // A function that takes a pointer to a function as an argument and applies it to two integers int apply(func_ptr f, int x, int y) return f(x, y); // call the function pointed by f with x and y as arguments // A constant pointer to a constant string How to download pointer in c by yashwant kanetkar pdf free 29?

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