Style question, when to use pointers

[Karl]

Generally when do you use pointers rather than stack variables?

 

[Victor Bazarov]

Generally when do you use pointers rather than stack variables?

When I need the object to survive across functions (especially
upon return), with minimal overhead. When I need polymorphic
behaviour (although in some situations references are OK).

 

[Andrew Koenig]

Generally when do you use pointers rather than stack variables?

If you can use

an iterator referring to an element of a standard-library container, or
a local variable (what you are referring to as a stack variable), or
a reference,

then you shouldn't use a pointer unless you can clearly articulate a reason
why a pointer is superior to any of these alternatives.