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C Programming: Pointer Analogy (lemm.ee)

submitted 6 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) by Ryick@lemm.ee to c/programming@programming.dev

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Pointers in C can often be difficult to understand—I certainly had a learning curve and am continuing to learn. However, I had a thought that may help some by comparing a common experience and wanted to share.

A pointer in C behaves just like a word in any spoken language which refers to a physical object or multiple objects and the uniqueness of each object (e.g Skippy the dog, Mittens and Tiger the cats, fork number 5). The word itself does not contain the physical object and its uniqueness but only communicates the existence of the physical object and its uniqueness. The pointer itself does not contain the physical address and its value but only communicates the existence of the physical address and its value.

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[–] Ryick@lemm.ee 1 points 3 days ago

You have a very good point. I would personally say that there is a physical difference between a computer and human, but that they are logically equivalent, within the scope of our discussion, even if the human processes are unconscious, because, objectively, the processes are occurring and have logical equivalence in that they are both memory address systems; just as a number and letter can have logical equivalence as symbols.

Also, I realize that I do not have the evidence that our brains do operate on a memory address system, and since it is my claim the burden of proof is on me. However, lack of evidence on my part is not evidence for an opposing idea, meaning the correct answer, for now, is “I don’t know.”

Have a wonderful day! 😁