When to use pointers, and when not to use them

Question

I'm currently doing my first real project in C++ and so, fairly new to pointers. I know what they are and have read some basic usage rules. Probably not enough since I still do not really understand when to use them, and when not.

The problem is that most places just mention that most people either overuse them or underuse them. My question is, when to use them, and when not?.

Currently, in many cases i'm asking myself, should I use a pointer here or just pass the variable itself to the function.

For instance, I know that you can send a pointer to a function so the function can actually alter the variable itself instead of a copy of it. But when you just need to get some information of the object once (for instance the method needs a getValue() something), are pointers usefull in that case?

I would love to see either reactions but also links that might be helpfull. Since it is my first time using C++ I do not yet have a good C++ book (was thinking about buying one if I keep on using c++ which I probably will).

Answer 1

From the c++ faq:

Use references when you can, and pointers when you have to.

https://isocpp.org/wiki/faq/references#refs-vs-ptrs