ptr (pointer)

A pointer is like a reference or a label that indicates the location of data stored in a computer's memory. Instead of holding the actual data, it tells the computer where to find it. Think of it as a street address for a house (the data). By using pointers, programs can efficiently access and modify data without copying it, which helps optimize memory usage and performance. Pointers are fundamental in many programming tasks, especially in languages like C and C++, allowing for flexible and dynamic management of memory resources.