Question

What is the difference between the following two assignments?

int main()
{
    int a=10;
    int* p=  &a;

    int* q = (int*)p; <-------------------------
    int* r = (int*)&p; <-------------------------
}

I am very much confused about the behavior of the two declarations.
When should i use one over the other?

Answer 1

int* q = (int*)p;

Is correct, albeit too verbose. int* q = p is sufficient. Both q and p are int pointers.

int* r = (int*)&p;

Is incorrect (logically, although it might compile), since &p is an int** but r is a int*. I can’t think of a situation where you’d want this.