Arrow operator -> in C/C++ with Examples

An Arrow operator in C/C++ allows to access elements in Structures and Unions. It is used with a pointer variable pointing to a structure or union. The arrow operator is formed by using a minus sign, followed by the greater than symbol as shown below. 
Syntax:

(pointer_name)->(variable_name)

Operation: The -> operator in C or C++ gives the value held by variable_name to structure or union variable pointer_name.
Difference between Dot(.) and Arrow(->) operator:

• The Dot(.) operator is used to normally access members of a structure or union.
• The Arrow(->) operator exists to access the members of the structure or the unions using pointers.

Examples:

• Arrow operator in structure:

C++

// C++ program to show Arrow operator
// used in structure
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

// Creating the structure
struct student {
    char name[80];
    int age;
    float percentage;
};

// Creating the structure object
struct student* emp = NULL;

// Driver code
int main()
{

    // Assigning memory to struct variable emp
    emp = (struct student*)
        malloc(sizeof(struct student));

    // Assigning value to age variable
    // of emp using arrow operator
    emp->age = 18;

    // Printing the assigned value to the variable
    cout <<" "<< emp->age;

    return 0;
}

// This code is contributed by shivanisinghss2110

C

// C program to show Arrow operator
// used in structure

#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>

// Creating the structure
struct student {
    char name[80];
    int age;
    float percentage;
};

// Creating the structure object
struct student* emp = NULL;

// Driver code
int main()
{
    // Assigning memory to struct variable emp
    emp = (struct student*)
        malloc(sizeof(struct student));

    // Assigning value to age variable
    // of emp using arrow operator
    emp->age = 18;

    // Printing the assigned value to the variable
    printf("%d", emp->age);

    return 0;
}

Output:

18

• Arrow operator in unions:

C++

// C++ program to show Arrow operator
// used in structure
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

// Creating the union
union student {
    char name[80];
    int age;
    float percentage;
};

// Creating the union object
union student* emp = NULL;

// Driver code
int main()
{
    // Assigning memory to struct variable emp
    emp = (union student*)
        malloc(sizeof(union student));

    // Assigning value to age variable
    // of emp using arrow operator
    emp->age = 18;

    // DIsplaying the assigned value to the variable
    cout <<""<< emp->age;
}

// This code is contributed by shivanisinghss2110

C

// C program to show Arrow operator
// used in structure

#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>

// Creating the union
union student {
    char name[80];
    int age;
    float percentage;
};

// Creating the union object
union student* emp = NULL;

// Driver code
int main()
{
    // Assigning memory to struct variable emp
    emp = (union student*)
        malloc(sizeof(union student));

    // Assigning value to age variable
    // of emp using arrow operator
    emp->age = 18;

    // DIsplaying the assigned value to the variable
    printf("%d", emp->age);
}

Output:

18