Thread: multiplying with pointers

  1. #1
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    multiplying with pointers

    How can I multiple with pointers initialized?
    My compiler keeps telling me its improper use of a pointer but im not trying to use a pointer :-(
    I was alway taught to multiple
    Code:
    var = constant * constant or var1 = var2 * var3
    or any mix of those, but the compiler thinks that Im using pointers. How can I get around this?

  2. #2
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    Could you post some of the code that is giving you problems? There isn't any reason for a compiler to interpret that as a pointer statement, so I'm stumped.
    Callou collei we'll code the way
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  3. #3
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    Thanks for any assistence you can offer.
    Code:
     static int *xpoint, *ypoint, PointY, PointX;
     *ypoint=GetDlgItemInt(hdc, PointY, NULL, TRUE) ;
     *xpoint=GetDlgItemInt(hdc, PointX, NULL, TRUE) ;
     ypoint=ypoint * yspace ;
     xpoint=xpoint * xspace ;

  4. #4
    Registered User C_Coder's Avatar
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    placing the * operator in variable declarations makes them pointers so xpoint and ypoint are pointers.
    All spelling mistakes, syntatical errors and stupid comments are intentional.

  5. #5
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    yeah , but I dont want them to be treated as pointer in the equation. I want there value to be multiplied. Is there anyway I can do this?

  6. #6
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    Try this:
    Code:
     static int xpoint, ypoint, PointY, PointX;
     ypoint=GetDlgItemInt(hdc, PointY, NULL, TRUE) ;
     xpoint=GetDlgItemInt(hdc, PointX, NULL, TRUE) ;
     ypoint *= yspace ;
     xpoint *= xspace ;

  7. #7
    Registered User C_Coder's Avatar
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    well, you need to point them at something, at the moment xpoint and ypoint are not initialised(think thats the right word).
    Code:
    xpoint = &something;
    ypoint = &somethingelse;
    
    *ypoint=GetDlgItemInt(hdc, PointY, NULL, TRUE) ;
    *xpoint=GetDlgItemInt(hdc, PointX, NULL, TRUE) ;

    ypoint=ypoint * yspace ;
    xpoint=xpoint * xspace ;
    without using the * operator the above code is working on addresses not values. Try this
    Code:
    *ypoint = (*ypoint) * yspace ;
    *xpoint = (*xpoint) * xspace ;
    just used brackets for clarity.
    If yspace and xspace have been declared as pointers also you need to use the * operator with them as well
    All spelling mistakes, syntatical errors and stupid comments are intentional.

  8. #8
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    That worked but another problem...it stops the thread at the first pointer claiming an access violation. Any clue whats wrong?

  9. #9
    ATH0 quzah's Avatar
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    C_Coder already answered your question. You must make your pointer point to something before you try and use it. (HINT: That's why they're called "pointers", because you make them "point at" something!)

    Quzah.
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  10. #10
    Confused Magos's Avatar
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    hmm

    Originally posted by Isometric
    Thanks for any assistence you can offer.
    Code:
     static int *xpoint, *ypoint, PointY, PointX;
     *ypoint=GetDlgItemInt(hdc, PointY, NULL, TRUE) ;
     *xpoint=GetDlgItemInt(hdc, PointX, NULL, TRUE) ;
     ypoint=ypoint * yspace ;
     xpoint=xpoint * xspace ;
    You are not multiplying the data, you are multiplying the adresses. Very dangerous...

    It should be *ypoint = *ypoint * yspace
    or ypoint[0] = ypoint[0] * yspace
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  11. #11
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    I did that.
    That was suggested higher in the thread twice.

  12. #12
    Sayeh
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    All right, gather around... back to compiler and c-programming 101....


    A "pointer" is nothing more than a long value. No more. No less.

    It just so happens that the compiler expects to treat it with indirection because you have declared your variable as directable with the '*' symbol.

    At the very least, if your compiler can't handle pointer multiplication, then coerce each to a long in the multiply.

    Otherwise, be very careful of the resultant number because it could easily access a point well beyond that of your physcal and/or virtual RAM. Or it could roll and go negative.... the possibilities are endless!

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