{"post":"

auto keyword is used to avoid writing the data-type of a variable.

The compiler infers the data-type from its initializer.

Let us look at an example to get a clear understanding of the concept:

#include <iostream>\n#include <typeinfo>\t//for typeid().name()\nusing namespace std;\n\nint main(){\n\tauto a = 4;\n\tauto b = 'a';\n\tauto ptr = &b;\n\tcout << typeid(a).name() << \"\\n\" << typeid(b).name() << \"\\n\" << typeid(ptr).name() << \"\\n\";\n\n\treturn 0;\n}\n

Output:

i\n\nc\n\nPc\n

typeid(x).name() returns a shorthand name for data-type of x. Here, the compiler automatically sets the data-type of the variables from the value they are assigned.

The auto keyword provides a number of benefits over the primitive method of data-type declaration:

It is a simple way of declaring a variable of complicated data type
If the expression’s type is changed—this includes when a function return type is changed—it just works.
Your coding can be more efficient

NOTE: “auto” is a feature introduced in C++ 11. Hence, it isn’t available in C and previous versions of C++.

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