Indirect Addressing
Indirect addressing is a computer programming and computer architecture concept where a memory address is stored in a register or memory location, and that stored address is used to access the actual data. It allows for dynamic memory access, enabling programs to work with data whose location is determined at runtime rather than compile time. This is fundamental for implementing data structures like pointers, arrays, and linked lists in low-level programming.
Developers should learn indirect addressing when working with systems programming, embedded systems, or performance-critical applications in languages like C, C++, or assembly, as it provides efficient memory management and flexibility. It is essential for implementing complex data structures, dynamic memory allocation, and hardware-level operations, such as in device drivers or operating system kernels where direct memory manipulation is required.