What is void or generic pointer?
The void pointer in C is a pointer which is not associated with any data types. It points to some data location in the storage means points to the address of variables. It is also called general purpose pointer. In C, malloc() and calloc() functions return void * or generic pointers.
What is difference between NULL pointer and void pointer?
A null pointer points has the value NULL which is typically 0, but in any case a memory location which is invalid to dereference. A void pointer points at data of type void. The word “void” is not an indication that the data referenced by the pointer is invalid or that the pointer has been nullified.
What is mean by generic pointer?
When a variable is declared as being a pointer to type void it is known as a generic pointer. Since you cannot have a variable of type void, the pointer will not point to any data and therefore cannot be dereferenced. Hence the term Generic pointer. …
What is a void pointer?
A void pointer is a pointer that has no associated data type with it. A void pointer can hold address of any type and can be typcasted to any type. Some Interesting Facts: 1) void pointers cannot be dereferenced. For example the following program doesn’t compile.
What is generic pointer in C with example?
5. Generic pointers are used when we want to return such pointer which is applicable to all types of pointers. For example return type of malloc function is generic pointer because it can dynamically allocate the memory space to stores integer, float, structure etc.
What void means C?
In computer programming, when void is used as a function return type, it indicates that the function does not return a value. When used in a function’s parameter list, void indicates that the function takes no parameters.
What is difference between generic pointer and specific pointer in C?
Generic Pointers / Void pointer Hence the term Generic pointer. This is very useful when you want a pointer to point to data of different types at different times. Void pointer is a specific pointer type – void * – a pointer that points to some data location in storage, which doesn’t have any specific type.
What’s the difference between null and void?
The difference between null and void as term for nothing stems from their place in physical space. A void is nothing but takes up space; null is nothing at all. In other words, you could measure a void but null offers nothing to measure.
What is size of void pointer?
The size of void pointer varies system to system. If the system is 16-bit, size of void pointer is 2 bytes. If the system is 32-bit, size of void pointer is 4 bytes.
Which of the following is generic pointer?
A void pointer is a special pointer that can point to object of any type. A void pointer is typeless pointer also known as generic pointer.
Which is used to declare generic pointer?
When a variable is declared as being a pointer to type void, it is known as a generic pointer. Since you cannot have a variable of type void, the pointer will not point to any data and therefore cannot be dereferenced. It is still a pointer though, to use it you just have to cast it to another kind of pointer first.
Where is void pointer used?
void pointers should be used any time the contents of a block of data is not important. For example when copying data the contents of a memory area is copied but the format of the data is not important.
What’s the difference between void pointer and generic function?
void pointer is an approach towards generic functions and generic programming in C. Note: Writing programs without being constrained by data type is known as generic programming. A generic function is a special function that focuses on logic without confining to data type.
What kind of pointer is a void pointer?
A void pointer is a special pointer that can point to object of any type. A void pointer is typeless pointer also known as generic pointer. void pointer is an approach towards generic functions and generic programming in C.
What do you call a typeless pointer in C?
A void pointer is typeless pointer also known as generic pointer. void pointer is an approach towards generic functions and generic programming in C. Note: Writing programs without being constrained by data type is known as generic programming. A generic function is a special function that focuses on logic without confining to data type.
Can a pointer to a variable be dereferenced?
Since you cannot have a variable of type void, the pointer will not point to any data and therefore cannot be dereferenced. It is still a pointer though, to use it you just have to cast it to another kind of pointer first. Hence the term Generic pointer.