How to Work with 'Pointers' in Python

Pointers denote an address (memory location). It has three identities - Name, Value, and Location (Address). Python doesn't support pointers as-is. You need to import 'ctypes' package to work with C Language.

Note: Pointer is popular in C, C++. The called module just uses the value of Pointer (not address).  Below is my detailed post on pointers.  

How to work with Pointers

• To pass a reference(address) to the C interface.
• You can use C Language in Python by importing 'ctypes.' 

Pointer Notation

1. Value
2. Address
3. Name

Python Pointers

Python doesn't support pointers. C and C++ extensively support pointers. Pointer is nothing but an ADDRESS. It is immutable. That means you can't change the value. Python supports pointers for the purpose to interact with C Language.

How to Import 'ctypes'

1. Import 'ctypes' library for the purpose of working with C language. 
2. Here's how to import 'ctypes' for windows and Linux.

How to denote Pointers

Here's the way to denote pointers in Python. Check out here Python Pointers.

 

from ctypes import * 
i = c_int(42) 
pi = pointer(i) 

References

• How to Use ctypes in Python
• Cython A Guide for Python Programmers