---
description: "Learn more about: Indirection Operator: *"
title: "Indirection Operator: *"
ms.date: "11/04/2016"
helpviewer_keywords: ["* operator", "indirection operator", "operators [C++], indirection", "indirection operator [C++], syntax"]
ms.assetid: c50309e1-6c02-4184-9fcb-2e13c1f4ac03
---
# Indirection Operator: *

## Syntax

```
* cast-expression
```

## Remarks

The unary indirection operator (<strong>\*</strong>) dereferences a pointer; that is, it converts a pointer value to an l-value. The operand of the indirection operator must be a pointer to a type. The result of the indirection expression is the type from which the pointer type is derived. The use of the <strong>\*</strong> operator in this context is different from its meaning as a binary operator, which is multiplication.

If the operand points to a function, the result is a function designator. If it points to a storage location, the result is an l-value designating the storage location.

The indirection operator may be used cumulatively to dereference pointers to pointers. For example:

```cpp
// expre_Indirection_Operator.cpp
// compile with: /EHsc
// Demonstrate indirection operator
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
   int n = 5;
   int *pn = &n;
   int **ppn = &pn;

   cout  << "Value of n:\n"
         << "direct value: " << n << endl
         << "indirect value: " << *pn << endl
         << "doubly indirect value: " << **ppn << endl
         << "address of n: " << pn << endl
         << "address of n via indirection: " << *ppn << endl;
}
```

If the pointer value is invalid, the result is undefined. The following list includes some of the most common conditions that invalidate a pointer value.

- The pointer is a null pointer.

- The pointer specifies the address of a local item that is not visible at the time of the reference.

- The pointer specifies an address that is inappropriately aligned for the type of the object pointed to.

- The pointer specifies an address not used by the executing program.

## See also

[Expressions with Unary Operators](../cpp/expressions-with-unary-operators.md)<br/>
[C++ Built-in Operators, Precedence and Associativity](../cpp/cpp-built-in-operators-precedence-and-associativity.md)<br/>
[Address-of Operator: &](../cpp/address-of-operator-amp.md)<br/>
[Indirection and Address-of Operators](../c-language/indirection-and-address-of-operators.md)