Search code examples
cpointershead

difference between *head and (*head) pointers in C

The following is a sample code, not the working one. I just want to know the difference between *head and (*head) in pointers in C.

int  insert(struct node **head, int data) {

      if(*head == NULL) {
        *head = malloc(sizeof(struct node));
        // what is the difference between (*head)->next and *head->next ?
        (*head)->next = NULL;
        (*head)->data = data;
    }
Solution

  • * has lower precedence than -> so 

    *head->next

    would be equivalent to

    *(head->next)

    If you want to dereference head you need to place the dereference operator * inside brackets

    (*head)->next