C++ Reference and Dereference Operators

pointers.cpp

/*
  on os x compile with (install xcode and command line tools)
  clang++ pointers.cpp -o pointers
  
  on windows compile with (install visual studio)
  cl /EHsc pointers.cpp
  
  on linux compile with (apt-get install g++)
  g++ pointers.cpp -o pointers
*/

#include <iostream>

int main()
{
  // assign a value to the variable
  int variable = 75;
  
  // get the address of the variable (a reference/pointer to the variable)
  int * pointer = &variable;
  
  // display the value of the variable
  std::cout << "The variable value is " << variable << std::endl;
  
  // display the address of the variable
  std::cout << "The address of the variable is " << pointer << std::endl;
  
  // change the value of the variable using the pointer
  *pointer = 45;
  std::cout << "Changing the value of the variable using a refence to its address" << std::endl;
  
  // display the value of the variable
  std::cout << "The value of the variable is " << variable << std::endl;

  // display the value of the dereferenced variable
  std::cout << "The value via the pointer is " << *pointer << std::endl;
}