c++

[Anthony Atkielski]

Gert Cuykens writes:

> What does coercing mean ?

Telling the compiler to disregard mismatches between data types.
Normally, if you put an integer in a program where a character pointer
is required, the compiler will complain.  If you use a cast to coerce
the type of the integer to a character pointer, the compiler will let it
pass, and will treat the integer as a pointer (whether it really
contains a pointer or not).

> Why does the compiler have to match parameters ?

To help avoid errors in coding, the compiler makes sure that the type of
a variable matches what is expected in certain situations.

> PS what is the difference between ?
>  A=*data

The contents of the memory location pointed to by data is copied to A.

>  A=data

The value of data is copied to A.

>  A=&data

The address in memory of data is copied to A.

-- 
Anthony