9. Pointer syntax

• 
  int main( )
  {
      int x = 1;
      int* ptr;   // (1) ptr is a pointer to an integer
      ptr = &x;   // (2) store address of x in ptr
      *ptr = 100; // (3) store new value at the address pointed by ptr
      return 0;
  }
  
  

1. Here, the asterisk * is a type modifier, not a dereference.

2. Ampersand & operator returns an address of a variable: ptr = &x;

3. Finally, an asterisk *ptr dereferences the pointer, providing access to the variable in memory:

   • *ptr = 100;

   Dereference operator *ptr is also known as indirection operator.