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c++pointersg++dynamic-memory-allocation

print address of dynamic memory, stored in an array of pointers

How do I print the data stored in the char* array [In C, we use %p to display addresses].

char * tokens[5];
for(int i=0;i<5;i++)
tokens[i] = new char[5];

for(int i=0;i<5;i++)
std::cout<<"Address: "<<tokens[i]<<std::endl;

/*Add data in the array*/

for(int i=0;i<5;i++)
delete[] tokens[i];

This gives me,

Address: 
Address: 
Address: 
Address: 
Address:

I understand that must be because, tokens[i] is the start address of a string so cout prints the string which as of now is empty.

What do I have to typecast tokens[i] to at std::cout?

Solution

  • operator<< is overloaded for char* and it assumes you have a null-terminated character array that you want printed. Cast it to a void* to get the value of the pointer instead:

    std::cout << "Address: " << static_cast<void*>(tokens[i]) << std::endl;

    See running code here: https://ideone.com/9Cst8F