Which code snippet increments the integer value pointed to by p, without changing the pointer itself?

• A. void inc(int* p) { (*p)++; }
• B. void inc(int* p) { p++; }
• C. void inc(int p) { (*p)++; }
• D. void inc(int* p) { (*p)--; }

Answer: (A)

You modify the value at the address the pointer holds, not the pointer itself. Dereferencing a pointer to int gives you that int in memory, so applying the post-increment to the dereferenced value increments the actual integer stored there while leaving the pointer’s address unchanged. That exact behavior—incrementing the pointed-to value without moving the pointer—matches the requirement.

Incrementing the pointer would move it to the next int in memory, not affect the current value. Using a non-pointer parameter would not compile for dereferencing. Decrementing would reduce the value instead of increasing it.