|
@@ -324,7 +324,7 @@ Pointers
|
|
* Pointer Comparison:: Comparing memory address values.
|
|
* Pointer Comparison:: Comparing memory address values.
|
|
* Pointer Arithmetic:: Computing memory address values.
|
|
* Pointer Arithmetic:: Computing memory address values.
|
|
* Pointers and Arrays:: Using pointer syntax instead of array syntax.
|
|
* Pointers and Arrays:: Using pointer syntax instead of array syntax.
|
|
-* Pointer Arithmetic Low Level:: More about computing memory address values.
|
|
|
|
|
|
+* Low-Level Pointer Arithmetic:: More about computing memory address values.
|
|
* Pointer Increment/Decrement:: Incrementing and decrementing pointers.
|
|
* Pointer Increment/Decrement:: Incrementing and decrementing pointers.
|
|
* Pointer Arithmetic Drawbacks:: A common pointer bug to watch out for.
|
|
* Pointer Arithmetic Drawbacks:: A common pointer bug to watch out for.
|
|
* Pointer-Integer Conversion:: Converting pointer types to integer types.
|
|
* Pointer-Integer Conversion:: Converting pointer types to integer types.
|
|
@@ -4845,12 +4845,17 @@ Names}.
|
|
@chapter Pointers
|
|
@chapter Pointers
|
|
@cindex pointers
|
|
@cindex pointers
|
|
|
|
|
|
-Among high-level languages, C is rather low level, close to the
|
|
|
|
|
|
+Among high-level languages, C is rather low-level, close to the
|
|
machine. This is mainly because it has explicit @dfn{pointers}. A
|
|
machine. This is mainly because it has explicit @dfn{pointers}. A
|
|
pointer value is the numeric address of data in memory. The type of
|
|
pointer value is the numeric address of data in memory. The type of
|
|
data to be found at that address is specified by the data type of the
|
|
data to be found at that address is specified by the data type of the
|
|
-pointer itself. The unary operator @samp{*} gets the data that a
|
|
|
|
-pointer points to---this is called @dfn{dereferencing the pointer}.
|
|
|
|
|
|
+pointer itself. Nothing in C can determine the ``correct'' data type
|
|
|
|
+of data in memory; it can only blindly follow the data type of the
|
|
|
|
+pointer you use to access the data.
|
|
|
|
+
|
|
|
|
+The unary operator @samp{*} gets the data that a pointer points
|
|
|
|
+to---this is called @dfn{dereferencing the pointer}. Its value
|
|
|
|
+always has the type that the pointer points to.
|
|
|
|
|
|
C also allows pointers to functions, but since there are some
|
|
C also allows pointers to functions, but since there are some
|
|
differences in how they work, we treat them later. @xref{Function
|
|
differences in how they work, we treat them later. @xref{Function
|
|
@@ -4868,7 +4873,7 @@ Pointers}.
|
|
* Pointer Comparison:: Comparing memory address values.
|
|
* Pointer Comparison:: Comparing memory address values.
|
|
* Pointer Arithmetic:: Computing memory address values.
|
|
* Pointer Arithmetic:: Computing memory address values.
|
|
* Pointers and Arrays:: Using pointer syntax instead of array syntax.
|
|
* Pointers and Arrays:: Using pointer syntax instead of array syntax.
|
|
-* Pointer Arithmetic Low Level:: More about computing memory address values.
|
|
|
|
|
|
+* Low-Level Pointer Arithmetic:: More about computing memory address values.
|
|
* Pointer Increment/Decrement:: Incrementing and decrementing pointers.
|
|
* Pointer Increment/Decrement:: Incrementing and decrementing pointers.
|
|
* Pointer Arithmetic Drawbacks:: A common pointer bug to watch out for.
|
|
* Pointer Arithmetic Drawbacks:: A common pointer bug to watch out for.
|
|
* Pointer-Integer Conversion:: Converting pointer types to integer types.
|
|
* Pointer-Integer Conversion:: Converting pointer types to integer types.
|
|
@@ -4960,9 +4965,11 @@ double *aptrd[5]; /* @r{Array of five pointers to @code{double}.} */
|
|
@end example
|
|
@end example
|
|
|
|
|
|
@noindent
|
|
@noindent
|
|
-Because @samp{*} has higher syntactic precedence than subscripting,
|
|
|
|
-you would subscript @code{aptrd} then dereference it. Therefore, it
|
|
|
|
-declares an array of pointers, not a pointer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
+Because @samp{*} has lower syntactic precedence than subscripting,
|
|
|
|
+@samp{double *aptrd[5]} means, ``if you subscript @code{aptrd} by an
|
|
|
|
+integer less than 5, then dereference it, you get a @code{double}.''
|
|
|
|
+Therefore, @code{*aptrd[5]} declares an array of pointers, not a
|
|
|
|
+pointer to an array.
|
|
|
|
|
|
@node Pointer Type Designators
|
|
@node Pointer Type Designators
|
|
@section Pointer-Type Designators
|
|
@section Pointer-Type Designators
|
|
@@ -4979,10 +4986,12 @@ double (*)[5] /* @r{Pointer to @code{double[5]}.} */
|
|
@end example
|
|
@end example
|
|
|
|
|
|
Remember, to understand what type a designator stands for, imagine the
|
|
Remember, to understand what type a designator stands for, imagine the
|
|
-variable name that would be in the declaration, and figure out what
|
|
|
|
-type it would declare that variable with. @code{double (*)[5]} can
|
|
|
|
-only come from @code{double (*@var{variable})[5]}, so it's a pointer
|
|
|
|
|
|
+corresponding variable declaration with a variable name in it, and
|
|
|
|
+figure out what type that variable would have. Thus, the type
|
|
|
|
+designator @code{double (*)[5]} corresponds to the variable declaration
|
|
|
|
+@code{double (*@var{variable})[5]}. That deciares a pointer variable
|
|
which, when dereferenced, gives an array of 5 @code{double}s.
|
|
which, when dereferenced, gives an array of 5 @code{double}s.
|
|
|
|
+So the type designator means, ``pointer to an array of 5 @code{double}s.''
|
|
|
|
|
|
@node Pointer Dereference
|
|
@node Pointer Dereference
|
|
@section Dereferencing Pointers
|
|
@section Dereferencing Pointers
|
|
@@ -5232,10 +5241,10 @@ If one of the operands is @code{void *} (@pxref{Void Pointers}) and
|
|
the other is another pointer type, the comparison operator converts
|
|
the other is another pointer type, the comparison operator converts
|
|
the @code{void *} pointer to the other type so as to compare them.
|
|
the @code{void *} pointer to the other type so as to compare them.
|
|
(In standard C, this is not allowed if the other type is a function
|
|
(In standard C, this is not allowed if the other type is a function
|
|
-pointer type, but that works in GNU C@.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
+pointer type, but it works in GNU C@.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comparison operators also allow comparing the integer 0 with a pointer
|
|
Comparison operators also allow comparing the integer 0 with a pointer
|
|
-value. Thus works by converting 0 to a null pointer of the same type
|
|
|
|
|
|
+value. This works by converting 0 to a null pointer of the same type
|
|
as the other operand.
|
|
as the other operand.
|
|
|
|
|
|
@node Pointer Arithmetic
|
|
@node Pointer Arithmetic
|
|
@@ -5331,10 +5340,10 @@ subtract_pointers ()
|
|
@}
|
|
@}
|
|
@end example
|
|
@end example
|
|
|
|
|
|
-The addition operation does not know where arrays are. All it does is
|
|
|
|
-add the integer (multiplied by object size) to the value of the
|
|
|
|
-pointer. When the initial pointer and the result point into a single
|
|
|
|
-array, the result is well-defined.
|
|
|
|
|
|
+The addition operation does not know where arrays begin or end in
|
|
|
|
+memory. All it does is add the integer (multiplied by target object
|
|
|
|
+size) to the numeric value of the pointer. When the initial pointer
|
|
|
|
+and the result point into the same array, the result is well-defined.
|
|
|
|
|
|
@strong{Warning:} Only experts should do pointer arithmetic involving pointers
|
|
@strong{Warning:} Only experts should do pointer arithmetic involving pointers
|
|
into different memory objects.
|
|
into different memory objects.
|
|
@@ -5344,15 +5353,18 @@ The difference between two pointers has type @code{int}, or
|
|
declare it is to use the typedef name @code{ptrdiff_t} defined in the
|
|
declare it is to use the typedef name @code{ptrdiff_t} defined in the
|
|
file @file{stddef.h}.
|
|
file @file{stddef.h}.
|
|
|
|
|
|
-This definition of pointer subtraction is consistent with
|
|
|
|
-pointer-integer addition, in that @code{(p3 - p1) + p1} equals
|
|
|
|
-@code{p3}, as in ordinary algebra.
|
|
|
|
|
|
+C defines pointer subtraction to be consistent with pointer-integer
|
|
|
|
+addition, so that @code{(p3 - p1) + p1} equals @code{p3}, as in
|
|
|
|
+ordinary algebra. Pointer subtraction works by subtracting
|
|
|
|
+@code{p1}'s numeric value from @code{p3}'s, and dividing by target
|
|
|
|
+object size. The two pointer arguments should point into the same
|
|
|
|
+array.
|
|
|
|
|
|
In standard C, addition and subtraction are not allowed on @code{void
|
|
In standard C, addition and subtraction are not allowed on @code{void
|
|
*}, since the target type's size is not defined in that case.
|
|
*}, since the target type's size is not defined in that case.
|
|
Likewise, they are not allowed on pointers to function types.
|
|
Likewise, they are not allowed on pointers to function types.
|
|
However, these operations work in GNU C, and the ``size of the target
|
|
However, these operations work in GNU C, and the ``size of the target
|
|
-type'' is taken as 1.
|
|
|
|
|
|
+type'' is taken as 1 byte.
|
|
|
|
|
|
@node Pointers and Arrays
|
|
@node Pointers and Arrays
|
|
@section Pointers and Arrays
|
|
@section Pointers and Arrays
|
|
@@ -5374,26 +5386,26 @@ symmetrically, so one must be a pointer and the other an integer; it
|
|
does not matter which comes first.
|
|
does not matter which comes first.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Since indexing with square brackets is defined in terms of addition
|
|
Since indexing with square brackets is defined in terms of addition
|
|
-and dereference, that too is symmetrical. Thus, you can write
|
|
|
|
|
|
+and dereferencing, that too is symmetrical. Thus, you can write
|
|
@code{3[array]} and it is equivalent to @code{array[3]}. However, it
|
|
@code{3[array]} and it is equivalent to @code{array[3]}. However, it
|
|
would be foolish to write @code{3[array]}, since it has no advantage
|
|
would be foolish to write @code{3[array]}, since it has no advantage
|
|
and could confuse people who read the code.
|
|
and could confuse people who read the code.
|
|
|
|
|
|
It may seem like a discrepancy that the definition @code{*(@var{a} +
|
|
It may seem like a discrepancy that the definition @code{*(@var{a} +
|
|
-@var{b})} requires a pointer, but @code{array[3]} uses an array value
|
|
|
|
|
|
+@var{b})} requires a pointer, while @code{array[3]} uses an array value
|
|
instead. Why is this valid? The name of the array, when used by
|
|
instead. Why is this valid? The name of the array, when used by
|
|
itself as an expression (other than in @code{sizeof}), stands for a
|
|
itself as an expression (other than in @code{sizeof}), stands for a
|
|
-pointer to the arrays's zeroth element. Thus, @code{array + 3}
|
|
|
|
|
|
+pointer to the array's zeroth element. Thus, @code{array + 3}
|
|
converts @code{array} implicitly to @code{&array[0]}, and the result
|
|
converts @code{array} implicitly to @code{&array[0]}, and the result
|
|
is a pointer to element 3, equivalent to @code{&array[3]}.
|
|
is a pointer to element 3, equivalent to @code{&array[3]}.
|
|
|
|
|
|
-Since square brackets are defined in terms of such addition,
|
|
|
|
|
|
+Since square brackets are defined in terms of such an addition,
|
|
@code{array[3]} first converts @code{array} to a pointer. That's why
|
|
@code{array[3]} first converts @code{array} to a pointer. That's why
|
|
it works to use an array directly in that construct.
|
|
it works to use an array directly in that construct.
|
|
|
|
|
|
-@node Pointer Arithmetic Low Level
|
|
|
|
-@section Pointer Arithmetic at Low Level
|
|
|
|
-@cindex pointer arithmetic, low level
|
|
|
|
|
|
+@node Low-Level Pointer Arithmetic
|
|
|
|
+@section Pointer Arithmetic at Low-Level
|
|
|
|
+@cindex pointer arithmetic, low-level
|
|
@cindex low level pointer arithmetic
|
|
@cindex low level pointer arithmetic
|
|
|
|
|
|
The behavior of pointer arithmetic is theoretically defined only when
|
|
The behavior of pointer arithmetic is theoretically defined only when
|
|
@@ -5407,7 +5419,8 @@ address, which is in fact an integer---call it @var{pint}. It treats
|
|
@var{i} as a number of elements of the type that @var{p} points to.
|
|
@var{i} as a number of elements of the type that @var{p} points to.
|
|
These elements' sizes add up to @code{@var{i} * sizeof (*@var{p})}.
|
|
These elements' sizes add up to @code{@var{i} * sizeof (*@var{p})}.
|
|
So the sum, as an integer, is @code{@var{pint} + @var{i} * sizeof
|
|
So the sum, as an integer, is @code{@var{pint} + @var{i} * sizeof
|
|
-(*@var{p})}. This value is reinterpreted as a pointer like @var{p}.
|
|
|
|
|
|
+(*@var{p})}. This value is reinterpreted as a pointer of the same
|
|
|
|
+type as @var{p}.
|
|
|
|
|
|
If the starting pointer value @var{p} and the result do not point at
|
|
If the starting pointer value @var{p} and the result do not point at
|
|
parts of the same object, the operation is not officially legitimate,
|
|
parts of the same object, the operation is not officially legitimate,
|
|
@@ -5448,7 +5461,8 @@ long} would always work, but it is cleaner to use @code{intptr_t}.)
|
|
The @samp{++} operator adds 1 to a variable. We have seen it for
|
|
The @samp{++} operator adds 1 to a variable. We have seen it for
|
|
integers (@pxref{Increment/Decrement}), but it works for pointers too.
|
|
integers (@pxref{Increment/Decrement}), but it works for pointers too.
|
|
For instance, suppose we have a series of positive integers,
|
|
For instance, suppose we have a series of positive integers,
|
|
-terminated by a zero, and we want to add them all up.
|
|
|
|
|
|
+terminated by a zero, and we want to add them up. Here is a simple
|
|
|
|
+way to step forward through the array by advancing a pointer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
@example
|
|
@example
|
|
int
|
|
int
|
|
@@ -5481,12 +5495,12 @@ takes precedence over a prefix operator. Therefore, it dereferences
|
|
@code{p}, and increments @code{p} afterwards. Incrementing a variable
|
|
@code{p}, and increments @code{p} afterwards. Incrementing a variable
|
|
means adding 1 to it, as in @code{p = p + 1}. Since @code{p} is a
|
|
means adding 1 to it, as in @code{p = p + 1}. Since @code{p} is a
|
|
pointer, adding 1 to it advances it by the width of the datum it
|
|
pointer, adding 1 to it advances it by the width of the datum it
|
|
-points to---in this case, one @code{int}. Therefore, each iteration
|
|
|
|
|
|
+points to---in this case, @code{sizeof (int)}. Therefore, each iteration
|
|
of the loop picks up the next integer from the series and puts it into
|
|
of the loop picks up the next integer from the series and puts it into
|
|
@code{next}.
|
|
@code{next}.
|
|
|
|
|
|
This @code{for}-loop has no initialization expression since @code{p}
|
|
This @code{for}-loop has no initialization expression since @code{p}
|
|
-and @code{sum} are already initialized, it has no end-test since the
|
|
|
|
|
|
+and @code{sum} are already initialized, has no end-test since the
|
|
@samp{break;} statement will exit it, and needs no expression to
|
|
@samp{break;} statement will exit it, and needs no expression to
|
|
advance it since that's done within the loop by incrementing @code{p}
|
|
advance it since that's done within the loop by incrementing @code{p}
|
|
and @code{sum}. Thus, those three expressions after @code{for} are
|
|
and @code{sum}. Thus, those three expressions after @code{for} are
|
|
@@ -5522,11 +5536,11 @@ and add it to @code{p}. (Recall that @code{p[i]} means @code{*(p +
|
|
i)}.) Either way, it uses the same address to get the next integer.
|
|
i)}.) Either way, it uses the same address to get the next integer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
It makes no difference in this program whether we write @code{i++} or
|
|
It makes no difference in this program whether we write @code{i++} or
|
|
-@code{++i}, because the value is not used. All that matters is the
|
|
|
|
-effect, to increment @code{i}.
|
|
|
|
|
|
+@code{++i}, because the value @emph{of that expression} is not used.
|
|
|
|
+We use it for its effect, to increment @code{i}.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The @samp{--} operator also works on pointers; it can be used
|
|
The @samp{--} operator also works on pointers; it can be used
|
|
-to scan backwards through an array, like this:
|
|
|
|
|
|
+to step backwards through an array, like this:
|
|
|
|
|
|
@example
|
|
@example
|
|
int
|
|
int
|
|
@@ -5561,10 +5575,10 @@ memory. However, if you unintentionally adjust a pointer across the
|
|
bounds of the object and into some other object, the system has no way
|
|
bounds of the object and into some other object, the system has no way
|
|
to detect this error.
|
|
to detect this error.
|
|
|
|
|
|
-A bug which does that can easily result in clobbering part of another
|
|
|
|
-object. For example, with @code{array[-1]} you can read or write the
|
|
|
|
-nonexistent element before the beginning of an array---probably part
|
|
|
|
-of some other data.
|
|
|
|
|
|
+A bug which does that can easily result in clobbering (overwriting)
|
|
|
|
+part of another object. For example, with @code{array[-1]} you can
|
|
|
|
+read or write the nonexistent element before the beginning of an
|
|
|
|
+array---probably part of some other data.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combining pointer arithmetic with casts between pointer types, you can
|
|
Combining pointer arithmetic with casts between pointer types, you can
|
|
create a pointer that fails to be properly aligned for its type. For
|
|
create a pointer that fails to be properly aligned for its type. For
|