Top Level '^'

[3TXyhbRD]

I've got a question. Is the Top Level '^' a pointer? If not can it be used like a pointer? Many thanks.

[hanst99]

In C++/CLI it's the pointer dereference operator, in C++ it's binary XOR.

[3TXyhbRD]

So it's a pointer?

[z05DSL3A]

No it is not a pointer, it is a handle.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%2B%2B/CLI

[hanst99]

Sorry, didn't know there was a difference. I only know CLI from hearsay :O

[3TXyhbRD]

Ok. So in the standard C++ '*' signs a pointer. In C++/CLI '^' signs a handle which is the same as a standard C++ pointer until a certain point (instead of 'new' you have 'gcnew' and you don't have to worry about 'delete'. Right?). If that is so, is it me or this (C++/CLI) starts to look like a carefully tidied up C++?

[hanst99]

It's just you.

[anonymous23323124]

I believe C++/CLI is garbage collected; standard C++ is not. I imagine there are other differences as well.

[z05DSL3A]

In C++/CLI '^' signs a handle which is the same as a standard C++ pointer until a certain point...

It is not a pointer or similar to a pointer. A handle is a reference in the .net framework. It allows the system resources to know what you are referring to when it is passed in an API call.

[3TXyhbRD]

Okay that's clear to me now. Thanks! :D