Do you use NULL or 0 (zero) for pointers in C++?

by

Here’s Stroustrup’s take on this: C++ Style and Technique FAQ

In C++, the definition of NULL is 0, so there is only an aesthetic difference. I prefer to avoid macros, so I use 0. Another problem with NULL is that people sometimes mistakenly believe that it is different from 0 and/or not an integer. In pre-standard code, NULL was/is sometimes defined to something unsuitable and therefore had/has to be avoided. That’s less common these days.

If you have to name the null pointer, call it nullptr; that’s what it’s called in C++11. Then, nullptr will be a keyword.

That said, don’t sweat the small stuff.

More Related Contents:

  1. For loop with pointers and a terminating null
  2. determine size of array if passed to function
  3. Is it good practice to NULL a pointer after deleting it?
  4. Testing pointers for validity (C/C++)
  5. NULL vs nullptr (Why was it replaced?) [duplicate]
  6. Accessing class members on a NULL pointer
  7. Does std::string have a null terminator?
  8. C++ standard: dereferencing NULL pointer to get a reference? [duplicate]
  9. Is null reference possible?
  10. How do you construct a std::string with an embedded null?
  11. What are the advantages of using nullptr?
  12. Checking if this is null
  13. Checking for NULL pointer in C/C++ [closed]
  14. Is there any reason to check for a NULL pointer before deleting?
  15. Can I use if (pointer) instead of if (pointer != NULL)?
  16. Is it still safe to delete nullptr in c++0x?
  17. dereferencing the null pointer
  18. Why are NULL pointers defined differently in C and C++?
  19. In either C or C++, should I check pointer parameters against NULL/nullptr?
  20. What is value of EOF and ‘\0’ in C
  21. At what point does dereferencing the null pointer become undefined behavior?
  22. Is there a platform or situation where dereferencing (but not using) a null pointer to make a null reference will behave badly?
  23. Is it legal/well-defined C++ to call a non-static method that doesn’t access members through a null pointer?
  24. Is there a null std::ostream implementation in C++ or libraries?
  25. Get second string from array [closed]
  26. c++11 Return value optimization or move? [duplicate]
  27. Why do I get an infinite loop if I enter a letter rather than a number? [duplicate]
  28. Arithmetic right shift gives bogus result?
  29. C++ – struct vs. class [duplicate]
  30. Preventing GCC from automatically using AVX and FMA instructions when compiled with -mavx and -mfma

Leave a Comment