In C/C++ language, an lvalue is an expression that refers to a specific location in memory (has an address). In other words, an lvalue is an object to which a value can be assigned, such as a variable or an array element.

Example:

int x = 5;    // x is an lvalue
x = 10;       // assignment is possible because x is an lvalue

int* p = &x;  // the address of x can be obtained

Unlike rvalue, which represents a temporary value or literal, an lvalue can be used on the left side of an assignment operator.

Previous Next