What is "->" called...

[FC]

Hi all:
I would like to find out more about the "->" symbol and I think the name
of it will be a good starting place. Also I would like to know what are
the differences between "->" and "*". Thank you very much.

FC

 

[Pete Becker]

I would like to find out more about the "->" symbol and I think the name
of it will be a good starting place.

It's often called "arrow", sometimes "points at".

Also I would like to know what are
the differences between "->" and "*". Thank you very much.

a->b is equivalent to (*a).b.

 

[Victor Bazarov]

I would like to find out more about the "->" symbol and I think the
name of it will be a good starting place. Also I would like to know
what are the differences between "->" and "*". Thank you very much.

-> is called "member access operator for pointers".
* is a dereference operator.

V

 

[ben]

a->b is equivalent to (*a).b.

If a is an object (not pointer) then it means (a.operator->())->b, or
(*(a.operator->())).b

ben

 

[Pete Becker]

If a is an object (not pointer) then it means (a.operator->())->b, or
(*(a.operator->())).b

Don't confuse beginners with too much detail.