Thread: Pointer and new Question

  1. #1
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    Pointer and new Question

    Hallo,

    What is the difference between:
    Code:
    someClass *ptr = new someClass;
    and
    Code:
    someClass temp;
    someClass *ptr = &temp;
    To me the last one looks a lot better, as I have heard the new is a slow command, and that when you use new you also need to have delete. But I am feeling that I am missing something here...

    Thanks

  2. #2
    Just Lurking Dave_Sinkula's Avatar
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    The first one points to allocated memory, the second one points to an automatic(?).
    7. It is easier to write an incorrect program than understand a correct one.
    40. There are two ways to write error-free programs; only the third one works.*

  3. #3
    Weak. dra's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by h3ro View Post
    Hallo,

    What is the difference between:
    Code:
    someClass *ptr = new someClass;
    and
    Code:
    someClass temp;
    someClass *ptr = &temp;
    To me the last one looks a lot better, as I have heard the new is a slow command, and that when you use new you also need to have delete. But I am feeling that I am missing something here...

    Thanks
    New dynamically allocates memory that won't be removed until delete is called on the pointer. What happens when temp goes out of scope? What will ptr point to then?

  4. #4
    C++まいる!Cをこわせ!
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    A pointer is just a variable that holds an address. In the first, new allocates memory and returns a pointer to that new memory. The second assigns the address from a stack variable to the pointer.
    Quote Originally Posted by Adak View Post
    io.h certainly IS included in some modern compilers. It is no longer part of the standard for C, but it is nevertheless, included in the very latest Pelles C versions.
    Quote Originally Posted by Salem View Post
    You mean it's included as a crutch to help ancient programmers limp along without them having to relearn too much.

    Outside of your DOS world, your header file is meaningless.

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