Correct way of declaring pointer variables in C/C++ [closed]

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Bjarne Stroustrup said:

The choice between “int* p;” and “int *p;” is not about right and wrong, but about style and emphasis. C emphasized expressions; declarations were often considered little more than a necessary evil. C++, on the other hand, has a heavy emphasis on types.

A “typical C programmer” writes “int *p;” and explains it “*p is what is the int” emphasizing syntax, and may point to the C (and C++) declaration grammar to argue for the correctness of the style. Indeed, the * binds to the name p in the grammar.

A “typical C++ programmer” writes “int* p;” and explains it “p is a pointer to an int” emphasizing type. Indeed the type of p is int*. I clearly prefer that emphasis and see it as important for using the more advanced parts of C++ well.

Source: http://www.stroustrup.com/bs_faq2.html#whitespace

I’d recommend the latter style because in the situation where you are declaring multiple pointers in a single line (your 4th example), having the asterisk with the variable will be what you’re used to.

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