Understanding c++ code; what do *datatype and classname::method mean?

Question

I am new to C++ and I am trying to understand some code. What does it mean to have a * in front of the datatype ? and why is the class Name in front of the method name CAStar::LinkChild

void CAStar::LinkChild(_asNode *node, _asNode *temp)
{

}

Answer 1

1. A * in front of the data type says that the variable is a pointer to the data type, in this case, a pointer to a node. Instead of passing a copy of the entire "node" into the method, a memory address, or pointer, is passed in instead. For details, see Pointers in this C++ Tutorial.

2. The class name in front of the method name specifies that this is defining a method of the CAStar class. For details, see the Tutorial pages for Classes.

Answer 2

The * means that it's a pointer. You will also find that _asNode *node is equivalent to _asNode* node.

The class name is in front of the method name when the method is not defined inside the class { ... }. The :: is the scope operator.