How important is the use of pointers?

Icarus 2013.10.22 18:34

Fellow traders,

I just started to learn about pointers in C++ and memory management. My question is: how important is the use of pointers in MQL5? Did anyone experienced any significant difference, for exemple, in testing an EA? Was the test performed faster by the use of pointers? Or there was any memory trouble caused by not using pointers?

thanks!

Problem when trying to deallocate RAM use by pointers of my EA
Useful features from KimIV porting to mql5 + my own attempts....
[Archive!] Any rookie question, so as not to clutter up the forum. Professionals, don't pass it by. Couldn't go anywhere without you - 2.

Alain Verleyen 2013.10.22 19:13 #1

I can't say nothing about performance, but here are some useful information about pointers : Using the Object Pointers in MQL5 and The Order of Object Creation and Destruction in MQL5

Anyway, mql5 pointers aren't similar to C++ pointers, you can mainly use them with oop and polymorphism.

Errors, bugs, questions Invalid pointer access error Trying to pass object

Icarus 2013.10.23 18:10 #2

angevoyageur:

I can't say nothing about performance, but here are some useful information about pointers : Using the Object Pointers in MQL5 and The Order of Object Creation and Destruction in MQL5

Anyway, mql5 pointers aren't similar to C++ pointers, you can mainly use them with oop and polymorphism.

Thank you, angevoyageur! Great references...

I dont use pointer in MQL5, I just dont see the point of using pointers, because the gain in performance due memory management is not clear to me. Besides, by using pointers I have more potencial troubles, because I am not an experienced programmer, so it is very easy for me to make a mistake.

Template function typification with PLO Help with OOP

Alain Verleyen 2013.10.23 18:55 #3

Icarus:

Thank you, angevoyageur! Great references...

If you are not an experienced programmer, my advice is "don't worry about pointer". Work without pointer and one day you probably see for yourself when they are needed.

Pasi Hakamaki 2013.10.23 19:52 #4

angevoyageur:
If you are not an experienced programmer, my advice is "don't worry about pointer". Work without pointer and one day you probably see for yourself when they are needed.

Yes, it is a good advice. I think about it too.

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