C/C++ Structure Reference and Structure De-Reference operators

structure_pointers.cpp

/*
	on os x compile with
	clang++ structure_pointers.cpp -o structure_pointers

	on windows compile with
	cl /EHsc structure_pointers.cpp

	on linux compile with
	g++ structure_pointers.cpp -o structure_pointers
*/

#include <iostream>

struct car {
  std::string name;
  std::string registration_number;
  int top_speed;
  float cost;
};

int main()
{
	// declare a car
	car my_car;
	
	// set the members of the car using the structure reference operator
	my_car.name = "Model X";
	my_car.top_speed = 130;
	my_car.cost = 80000;
	my_car.registration_number = "TESLA";

	// access the members of the car using the structure reference operator
	std::cout << "Access the members using the structure reference operator";
	std::cout << std::endl;
	std::cout << "car name: " << my_car.name << std::endl;
	std::cout << "car price: " << my_car.cost << std::endl;
	
	// obtain a pointer to the car
	car * pointer = &my_car;
	
	// use the structure de reference operator to change the values of
	// the car members
	std::cout << std::endl;
	std::cout << "Change the members via the structure de-reference operator";
	std::cout << std::endl;
	pointer->name = "Model Y";
	pointer->cost = 85000;

	// display the members of the
	std::cout << std::endl;
	std::cout << "Access the members using the structure de-reference operator";
	std::cout << std::endl;
	std::cout << "car name: " << pointer->name << std::endl;
	std::cout << "car price: " << pointer->cost << std::endl;
}