c++ - why should we use pointer for this code? -

i found following code tutorial of c++. in:

cout << "value of v = " << *v << endl; 

you can see *v used. can tell me why should not use v instead of *v?

#include "stdafx.h" #include <iostream> #include <vector> using namespace std;   int main() {    // create vector store int    vector<int> vec;     int i;      // access 5 values vector    for(i = 0; < 5; i++){       cout << "value of vec [" << << "] = " << vec[i] << endl;    }     // use iterator access values    vector<int>::iterator v = vec.begin();    while( v != vec.end()) {       cout << "value of v = " << *v << endl;       v++;    }    cin.get();    cin.get();    return 0; } 

the type of v

vector<int>::iterator v 

therefore if tried do

<< v << endl; 

you'd trying write iterator output stream, whereas want int. therefore, dereference iterator, use * operator @ underlying object contained within iterator

<< *v << endl