What is a pointer in the C language?

In the C language, pointers are a unique type of variable used to store memory addresses. They represent the location of a variable or object in memory. By using pointers, you can directly access or modify data stored at a specific memory location.

A pointer variable stores a memory address that points to the location where the stored data is. By using the dereference operator (*), you can access the value of the variable or object pointed to by the pointer.

In C language, pointers play a crucial role, especially in dynamic memory allocation, arrays, strings, and passing function parameters. Using pointers can enhance a program’s efficiency and flexibility. However, misuse of pointers can lead to errors or crashes, so extra caution is required when utilizing them.