From:	"Kenton W. Mellott" <melken AT co DOT tds DOT net>
Newsgroups:	comp.os.msdos.djgpp
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Subject:	Re: Simple program. Strange results.
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Date:	Thu, 28 Aug 2003 02:52:21 GMT
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To:	djgpp AT delorie DOT com
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Reply-To:	djgpp AT delorie DOT com

"DJ Delorie" <dj AT delorie DOT com> wrote in message
news:200308280125 DOT h7S1PFP5020856 AT envy DOT delorie DOT com...
>
> > Thanks for the corrections!  DJGPP's help gave no reason for the
ampersand.
>
> The very first line in the scanf documentation is:
>
> "This function scans formatted text from `stdin' and stores it in the
> variables pointed to by the arguments."
>
> The "pointed to by the arguments" should have indicated that the
> arguments are pointers, not values.
>
> In addition, the examples show:
>
>      scanf("%d %d %s", &x, &y, buf);
>
> But, if you can suggest a more obvious wording, we'll listen.
>
> >   From what I can grasp, the asterisk symbol means the same thing.
> > Though I have yet to really grasp the proper place(s) and form(s)
> > for its usage.
>
> Nope, asterisk is the inverse of ampersand.  Ampersand takes the
> address of something, converting values into pointers that point to
> those values.  Asterisks dereference pointers, turning pointers into
> the values they point to.

    I appreciate your clarity on the point.

Sincerely,

Gregory D. MELLOTT

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