In C++, the * is used for what three things?

Question

I know the * operator is overloaded for multiplication and pointing. Is the 3rd use uniary? If so, could someone elaborate?

Answer 1

When used as the pointer dereference operator it is a unary operator.

This is because in that context, it only takes one argument, namely the pointer.

You do see * in 5 contexts (other than quoted strings):

1. as a multiplication operator
2. as pointer deference
3. as multiplication assignment *=
4. to form part of a type; eg int*
5. as part of /* and */ comment blocks

In (1) and (2) and (3), it is acting as an operator. C++ allows you to overload operators.

Answer 2

From what I know:

1. First use: to declare a pointer:

    int * ap; 

   ap is an integer pointer.

2. To dereference a pointer. *ap gives the value stores at the address pointer to by the pointer ap .
3. Multiplication, eg int a = 5*2;