A variable that stores the memory address of another variable rather than storing a value directly. Pointers enable efficient memory management and allow programs to indirectly access and manipulate data stored elsewhere in memory.
From Middle English 'pointen' meaning to indicate direction. The term 'pointer' described objects that indicated or pointed toward something else. Computing adopted it in the 1960s to describe variables that 'point to' memory locations, maintaining the metaphor of indication and direction.
Pointers are like street addresses - instead of carrying your house around with you, you just carry a piece of paper with your address written on it. When someone needs to find your house, they follow the address (pointer) to get to the actual location (memory) where your stuff (data) is stored!
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