pointer and iterator

Hi, could anyone explain me why the two line are ok?

Code:

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std::vector<Side>* _sides;
	std::vector<Side>::iterator its;	
	int temp;
	for (its = _sides->begin(); its != _sides->end(); ++its)
		temp += (*its).getSide(); //1
		temp += its->getSide();  //2

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Could explain me what scenario we have in term of pointers (refering to its. eg: in the loop its pointer to.........)

Thank you.

If "x" is an iterator then "*x" returns a reference on the object pointed by the iterator and "x->" is a shortcut for "(*x).". This all has nothing to do with pointers. "*" is the dereference operator.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wysota

If "x" is an iterator then "*x" returns a reference on the object pointed by the iterator and "x->" is a shortcut for "(*x).". This all has nothing to do with pointers. "*" is the dereference operator.

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:) I was going to say that it has nothing to do with iterators, but only with pointers because dereferencing is strictly related to pointers.

I'd say you could dereference anything that is a reference to something else. By dereferencing a street address, you get the house object "pointed to" by the address :) Iterator is such an address (but not a pointer in strict sense).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wysota

If "x" is an iterator then "*x" returns a reference on the object pointed by the iterator and "x->" is a shortcut for "(*x).". This all has nothing to do with pointers. "*" is the dereference operator.

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Then if the '->' is a shortcut wich do I have to use? '(*x)' or 'x->'? Is there any reason to choice one?

"(*x)." is five characters and "x->" is three characters. The choice is yours to make :)

And if x is itself a large expression or chain, you'll have to enclose that in brackets too. It would make the dereference very unreadable.

a->b->c->D

or

(*(a->b->c)).D