A pointer is a variable that holds a memory address in the local machine instead of the value itself. [^javidx9] In [[Go]], `*` is a pointer reference variable. `&` means we create a pointer to a value. Without `&`, you're getting the direct value, and with `&` it's a pointer to the value. `*` can be used to add pointer references AND to dereference them. [^javidx9]: What are pointers? (C++)