C or C Pointer Declaration: Where Should the Asterisk Go?

Pointer Declaration: Asterisk Placement Quandary

In the realm of C and C programming, the placement of the asterisk in pointer declarations has sparked a heated debate. The two prevalent methods are juxtaposing the asterisk with either the type name or the variable name.

C Style: Emphasizing Pointer Type

Advocates of this style prioritize the pointer's type. This declaration denotes that somePtr is a pointer of type someType.

C Style: Emphasizing Pointed-to Type

In this approach, the asterisk's adjacency to the variable name highlights the data type pointed to by somePtr.

Preference and Semantics

Ultimately, the choice between these two styles is a matter of personal preference. There is no definitive consensus on which one is superior.

However, some proponents argue that the C style aligns better with the object-oriented paradigm, as it emphasizes the pointer's type. On the other hand, the C style may be more intuitive for programmers accustomed to its notation in C.

Middling Placement: Avoiding Commitment

A third approach, placing the asterisk in the middle (e.g., someType *somePtr), attempts to avoid adhering to either the C or C style. However, this middle ground does not offer any additional semantic benefit.

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