Accessing structure members in C++ - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is a structure in C++?

A structure in C++ is a user-defined data type that groups related variables of different types under one name.

beginner

How do you access a member of a structure variable in C++?

You use the dot operator (.) to access a member of a structure variable. For example, if person is a structure variable and age is a member, you write person.age.

beginner

How do you access a member of a structure through a pointer in C++?

You use the arrow operator (->) to access a member of a structure through a pointer. For example, if pPerson is a pointer to a structure and age is a member, you write pPerson->age.

intermediate

What is the difference between the dot operator (.) and the arrow operator (->) when accessing structure members?

The dot operator (.) is used to access members of a structure variable directly, while the arrow operator (->) is used to access members through a pointer to a structure.

beginner

Given the structure struct Point { int x; int y; }; and a variable Point p = {3, 4};, how do you print the value of x?

You print the value of x using p.x. For example: std::cout << p.x;

Which operator is used to access a member of a structure variable directly?

A . (dot)

B -> (arrow)

C * (asterisk)

D & (ampersand)

The dot operator (.) is used to access members of a structure variable directly.

How do you access a member of a structure through a pointer?

A . (dot)

B -> (arrow)

C :: (scope resolution)

D # (preprocessor)

The arrow operator (->) is used to access members through a pointer to a structure.

Given struct Car { int speed; }; and Car* pCar;, how do you access the speed member?

A &pCar.speed

B pCar.speed

C *pCar.speed

D pCar->speed

You use the arrow operator with pointers: pCar->speed.

If person is a structure variable, which is correct to access its member name?

A person->name

B *person.name

C person.name

D &person->name

Use the dot operator to access members of a structure variable: person.name.

What will happen if you try to use the dot operator on a pointer to a structure?

A It will cause a compilation error.

B It will access the member correctly.

C It will access the member but with wrong value.

D It will convert the pointer to a variable automatically.

Using the dot operator on a pointer to a structure causes a compilation error; you must use the arrow operator.

Explain how to access members of a structure variable and a pointer to a structure in C++.

Think about the difference between a variable and a pointer.

Describe the difference between the dot operator and the arrow operator when working with structures.

Consider how pointers and variables behave differently.