# check-pointers, Qcheck-pointers

Determines whether the compiler checks bounds for memory access through pointers.

## Syntax

Linux: | -check-pointers=keyword

macOS: | None

Windows: | /Qcheck-pointers:keyword

## Arguments

keyword | Specifies what type of bounds checking occurs. Possible values are:
none | Disables bounds checking. This is the default.
rw | Checks bounds for reads and writes through pointers.
write | Checks bounds for only writes through pointers.

## Default

-check-pointers=none or /Qcheck-pointers:none | No bounds checking occurs for memory access through pointers.

## Description

This option determines whether the compiler checks bounds for memory access through pointers. It enables checking of all indirect accesses through pointers, and all array accesses.

The compiler may optimize these checks away when it can determine that an access is safe.

When rw or write is specified, the [Q]check-pointers-undimensioned option is set and dimensioned and undimensioned arrays are checked.

If you do not want undimensioned arrays checked, you must specify option the negative form of the option (see Syntax above).

This pointer checker feature requires installation of another product. For more information, see Feature Requirements.

## IDE Equivalent

Visual Studio: Code Generation > Check Pointers

Eclipse: Code Generation > Check Pointers

Xcode: None

## Alternate Options

None

Parent topic: Data Options

## See Also

check-pointers-undimensioned, Qcheck-pointers-undimensioned compiler option
check-pointers-dangling, Qcheck-pointers-dangling compiler option