Difference Between Array and Pointer

In this post, we will understand the difference between arrays and pointers.

Array

It stores value of a variable that has a homogeneous data type.
It can generate an array of pointers.
It supports the array concept.
An array of pointers can be generated.
It refers to a collection that consists of elements of homogenous/same data type.
It uses subscripts/ ‘[ ]’ (square brackets) to access the elements.
It is a pointer that points to the first element of the collection.
The array objects can’t be instantiated.
The size of array is fixed based on the number of elements in the array.
This size is the product of number of elements and size of every element.
Bit field is not possible in an array.
It is considered as a primitive data type.
Traversing through and searching for elements in an array is quick and easy.
It can be declared using the ‘[ ]’.
Array size is fixed and is basically the number of elements multiplied by the size of an element.
It is stored in contiguous memory locations.

In C++, it can be declared as follows −

type var_name[size];

In Java, it can be declared as follows −

type var-name[ ];
var_name = new type[size];

int val = 5;
//code//
int *p = &val;

Published on 24-Mar-2021 14:05:34