C++ Pointers Classes Memory

pointer

variable that stores an address

reference

alias for another variable

null pointer

nullptr

dereference pointer

*ptr

address of variable

&x

pass by value

copies the argument

pass by reference

allows function to modify original

const reference

avoids copy and prevents modification

heap allocation

new creates object on heap

free heap allocation

delete releases memory

memory leak

allocated memory is no longer freed

RAII

resource lifetime is tied to object lifetime

constructor

function called when object is created

destructor

function called when object is destroyed

copy constructor

creates object from another object

move semantics

transfers resources instead of copying

class private members

accessible only inside class

class public members

accessible from outside class

struct default access

public

class default access

private

virtual function

enables runtime polymorphism

override

marks function that overrides base virtual function