GP32 Gp32 Tutorial 04 "pointers!"


synkro

0xdeadbeef
Joined
Aug 26, 2003
Messages
823
Location
Germany
Website
Visit site
So, I hope this help anyone. The next will be more game or grafic related, I swear!

Code:
/*
 * GP32 Tutorial 04 "Pointers!"
 *
 * Intro
 * -----
 * Finally we have to talk about pointers. Many people fear this topic and
 * they say you can handle C without pointers at all. That's right, but like
 * all things in life there is a ugly and a elegant way to do things.
 *
 * Point me in the right direction!
 * --------------------------------
 * we can allocate space for an array of elements at compile time with fixed
 * dimension sizes of any data type, even functions and structs. A variable
 * is defined by position(address), size, name and content. For example:
 *
 * +--------------------+--------------------+
 * | 0x1000000000000000 |     x              | address | name
 * +--------------------+--------------------+
 * |                   33                    |       value
 * +-----------------------------------------+
 *
 * This is the var named 'x' at the address 0x1000000000000000 with the value
 * 33. whenever we use that var in our code, the program knows that 'x' is at
 * that address and substitutes the var with the stored value. A variable's
 * name stands for its content. (this is not an actual GP32 address but an
 * example)
 * To find out the address of a var you can use the address operator '&'.
 * '&x' will give us the address of the var x and not its value. Now, it
 * would be nice if we could store this address. A variable containing an
 * address is called pointer!
 *
 * int *z;
 * This defines a pointer containing an address of an integer. We store the
 * address of 'x' in 'z' with this line: z = &x;
 * +--------------------+--------------------+
 * | 0xDEADBEEF00000000 |     z              | address | name
 * +--------------------+--------------------+
 * |         0x1000000000000000              | stored address
 * +-----------------------------------------+
 *
 * Once we stored the address of x in z we can change the value of x with the
 * address stored in z. *z = 20; does not change the stored address in z but
 * the value of the variable x. '*' is an indirection via a pointer.
 * This is not fancy at all, because you can manipulate that variable
 * directly, so there is no use for the pointer. The main usage of pointers
 * is to give them as parameters to functions. Because you don't have to move
 * the complete data but its address to work with it.
 *
 * The parameter of the function doubleMe() is a pointer of type int. Because
 * of the '*' the values will be doubled not the addresses. Functions can
 * also return pointers. This is useful for larger data elements like
 * structs or arrays. It is even possible to declare pointers for functions,
 * you won't need that. If you want to do something like that I suggest that
 * you learn C++ instead of wasting your time with those weird pointers.
 *
 * That's it??
 * -----------
 * No, it's not! The ugly part is coming now. We declare a pointer to point
 * at another pointer. int **ptrptr; This is a pointer pointer. We point
 * ptrptr at z (z is still pointing at x) so ptrptr is poiting at x.
 * I know you want to ask me: "why do we need that sh**?" In one of the next
 * tutorials I will handle abstract data types like double linked list. Those
 * are helpful managing large numbers of data elements like sprites. Look at
 * the following example code. Maybe, next time when you are coding you will
 * find a way to use pointer in your own program to lighten stuff up.
 * Good Luck!
 *
 * Disclaimer
 * ----------
 * This Tutorial is based on Mr. Mirko's SDK (mirko@mirkoroller.de)
 * download it at: http://home.t-online.de/home/mirkoroller/gp32/
 * THIS TUTORIAL IS NOT WRITTEN BY MR. MIRKO!
 *
 *                                 SDK by Mr. Mirko mirko@mirkoroller.de
 *                            Tutorial by synkro    synkro@gmx.net
 *                                                  26.04.2004 13:59:52
 */


#include <gp32.h>

unsigned short *framebuffer; // A framebuffer pointer

void doubleMe(int *value);

void main(void)
{

  framebuffer = (unsigned short*) FRAMEBUFFER;

  gp_SetScreen(framebuffer, 16);

  int i;
  for (i=0; i<320*240; i++) framebuffer[i]=0xFFFF;

  gp_SetCpuSpeed(66);

  char string[33];

  int x;
  x = 33;

  int *z;
  z = &x;
  // Pointing at x

  int **ptrptr;
  ptrptr = &z;
  // we point at a pointer (z)

  sprintf(string, "Address of x(%i) is: %p           ",x ,&x);
  // Sometimes you have to print out formated strings to show values or
  // addresses of vars. The format sign '%i' is for ints. This sign will
  // be replayced with the first var's value. As you maybe guessed '%p' is
  // for addresses.

  int x_pos   = 5;
  int y_pos   = 40;
  int length  = 30;
  int color   = 0xF000;
  gp_SetFont8(x_pos, y_pos, length, string, color, framebuffer);

  sprintf(string, "Value of z is: %p                 ", z);
  y_pos   += 20;
  gp_SetFont8(x_pos, y_pos, length, string, color, framebuffer);

  *z = 20;
  // we change x via the address stored in z

  sprintf(string, "Value of x is: %i                 ",x);
  y_pos   += 20;
  gp_SetFont8(x_pos, y_pos, length, string, color, framebuffer);

  doubleMe(&x);
  // we double x

  sprintf(string, "Value of x is: %i                 ",x);
  y_pos   += 20;
  gp_SetFont8(x_pos, y_pos, length, string, color, framebuffer);

  **ptrptr = 666;
  // we are not changing the address stored in 'ptrptr' nor the address
  // stored in 'z' where 'ptrptr' is pointing at but the value of the var
  // where 'z' points at. That's x!

  sprintf(string, "Value of x is: %i                 ",x);
  y_pos   += 20;
  gp_SetFont8(x_pos, y_pos, length, string, color, framebuffer);

  sprintf(string, "Value of **ptrptr is: %i          ",**ptrptr);
  y_pos   += 20;
  gp_SetFont8(x_pos, y_pos, length, string, color, framebuffer);

  while (1)
  {
  }

}

void doubleMe (int *value)
{
     *value = *value + *value;

}
 
Octavious posted on Apr 26 2004 at 03:07 PM said:
this will let me have a pointer on screen??
Are you talking about the FRAMEBUFFERS? the conecpt of buffer pointers is the same as in this tuto. For more details check tuto2 for double buffering.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Uriel posted on Apr 29 2004 at 12:58 AM said:
I still don't understand WTF the point of pointers is..
There are about a million uses of a pointer. You can use it like an array, you can use it to point to the contents of an undefined number of data elements allocated at runtime (Arrays have a specific size, and their memory cannot be freed). You can use them to send arrays and structures into a function. You can even use them to have functions inside structures. Nice if you want a little bit of Object Oriented flavor.

Once you start using them, you will invent your own uses. They are really difficult to explain but hopefully synkro will go more into this subject. All I can do is to advise you to learn this off by heart. There will be a time when you need it.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Back
Top