56. Difference between pointer and reference

POINTER

1.   Its not necessary to initialize the pointer at the time of declaration. Like

      Code:

     int a=10;

     int *p=&a; //it is not necessary

Another way is:

   Code:

   int a=10;

   int *p;

   p=&a;

2.   You can create the array of pointer.

3.   You can assign NULL to the pointer like

   Code:

   int *p=NULL; //valid

4.   You can use pointer to pointer.

REFERENCE:

1.   Its necessary to initialize the Reference at the time of declaration. Like

      Code:

      int &a=10

      int &a; //Error here but not in case of pointer.

2.   You can not create the Array of reference.

3.   You can not assign NULL to the reference like.

    Code:

    int &a=NULL; //Error

4.   You can not use reference to reference.