The spelling of "plus pointer" is straight forward when using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first word, "plus", is spelled /plʌs/, with the "u" sound as in "up". The second word, "pointer", is spelled /ˈpɔɪntər/, with the "oi" sound as in "joy" and the emphasis on the first syllable. Together, the phrase is pronounced /plʌs ˈpɔɪntər/. It refers to a feature in computer programming where a memory address is stored and incremented during execution.
A plus pointer refers to a concept in computer programming and computer science that is utilized for memory addressing or index manipulation purposes. It is commonly employed to access or modify elements in an array or a sequence.
In programming languages such as C and C++, a plus pointer is an arithmetic operation performed on a pointer that advances it to the next adjacent memory location. The plus sign (+) is used as the operator, and it is applied together with an integer value, representing the number of memory locations to move ahead. This arithmetic operation is generally executed to traverse through an array or a data structure with sequential or contiguous memory allocation.
When a plus pointer is employed, the pointer's value is incremented by n multiplied by the size of the data type to which it points. This ensures proper memory alignment and prevents accessing unwanted or incorrect memory addresses.
The plus pointer operation is particularly useful when iterating over an array, sequentially processing elements, searching for specific data, or performing other operations that require traversing through memory in a linear fashion. It aids in efficient indexing and accessibility to different elements in a collection, enhancing the flexibility and functionality of the programming language or system. The plus pointer operation is widely utilized in low-level programming, algorithms, and data structures.
The term "plus pointer" does not have a specific established etymology because it seems to be a combination of two separate words: "plus" and "pointer".
The word "plus" derives from the Latin word "plūs", meaning "more" or "additional". It has been used in English since the 16th century to indicate something that is positive, beneficial, or of a higher degree or quantity.
On the other hand, the word "pointer" originated from the Old French word "pointe" or "point", meaning "sharp end" or "tip". It has been used in English since the 14th century as a noun to refer to something that indicates or points out, such as a sign, indicator, or guide.