The operator `delete` frees up the allocated memory, but it doesn’t delete the pointer:

int *x = new int;
*x = 42;

cout << "Address: " << x << endl;
cout << "Value: " << *x << endl;
delete x;

cout << "Address: " << x << endl;

cout << "Value: " << *x << endl;

As you can see, the pointer still remembers the address it refers to. Pointers that point to nonexistent units of memory are called dangling pointers. To avoid problems, you can assign to your pointer `nullptr`:

The keyword `nullptr` represents the value of the empty pointer. It’s a good practice to assign `nullptr` to a pointer so as not to crash your program by pointing to the unit of memory you will not use.

Which of the following statements is true?

If you want to improve your skills in C++ and already have basic knowledge of this popular programming language, then this course is for you. The next level of C++ training includes basic concepts of memory and functions in C++, defining and implementing references, pointers, and arrays. Discover standard libraries, useful topics, and dynamic memory with practical examples.

In this section, you will repeat datatypes and arrays, discovering the memory behind them.

Here you will learn what pointers and references are, where they can be used, and the difference between them.

In this section, you will explore dynamic memory features and how to apply them.

In the final section of our intermediate course, you will learn the basics of functions and then write some functions by yourself!

Pointer Cleaner