Question

I am quite new to using C++. I have handled Java and ActionScript before, but now I want to learn this powerful language. Since C++ grants the programmer the ability to explicitly use pointers, I am quite confused over the use of the arrow member operator. Here is a sample code I tried writing.

main.cpp:

   #include <iostream>
   #include "Arrow.h"
   using namespace std;

   int main()
   {
        Arrow object;
        Arrow *pter = &object;

        object.printCrap(); //Using Dot Access
        pter->printCrap(); //Using Arrow Member Operator
        return 0;
   }

Arrow.cpp

   #include <iostream>
   #include "Arrow.h"
   using namespace std;

   Arrow::Arrow()
   {

   }

   void Arrow::printCrap(){
       cout << "Steak!" << endl;
   }

In the above code, all it does is to print steak, using both methods (Dot and Arrow).

In short, in writing a real practical application using C++, when do I use the arrow notation? I’m used to using the dot notation due to my previous programming experience, but the arrow is completely new to me.

Answer 1

Good Question,

Dot(.) this operator is used for accessing the member function or
sometime the data member of a class or structure using instance
variable of that class/Structure.

object.function(); 
object.dataMember; //not a standard for class.

arrow(->) this operator is used for accessing the member function or
sometime the data member of a class or structure but using pointer of
that class/Structure.

ptr->function();
ptr->datamember; //not a standard for class.