CPP Memory Management & Pointers

Question 1

What is a pointer in C++?

Accepted Answer

A variable storing a memory address

Answer

A pointer in C++ is a special type of variable that stores the memory address of another variable or a memory location. Instead of holding a direct value, it "points" to where a value is stored in memory, enabling direct memory manipulation and efficient data access.

Question 2

Which operator is used to access the address of a variable?

Accepted Answer

&

Answer

The ampersand symbol (`&`) in C++ is the address-of operator. When placed before a variable name, it returns the memory address where that variable is stored. This address can then be assigned to a pointer variable.

Question 3

What does the '*' operator do when used with pointers?

Accepted Answer

Returns the value stored at the memory address

Answer

When the asterisk symbol (`*`) is used with a pointer variable, it acts as the dereference operator. It retrieves the value that is stored at the memory address currently held by the pointer, effectively "accessing" the data the pointer points to.

Question 4

Which keyword is used to deallocate memory in C++?

Accepted Answer

delete

Answer

In C++, `delete` is the operator used to deallocate memory that was previously allocated using the `new` operator. It frees up the memory on the heap, making it available for other uses and preventing memory leaks by returning resources to the system.

Question 5

Which kind of memory is automatically managed in C++?

Accepted Answer

Stack memory

Answer

Stack memory is automatically managed in C++; memory for local variables and function call frames is allocated when a function is called and automatically deallocated when the function returns. This contrasts with heap memory, which requires manual allocation and deallocation.

(CPP) C++ Programming Professional Certificate Practice Test

(CPP) C++ Programming Professional Certificate Practice Test

CPP Memory Management & Pointers