I have no clue what pointers are.
they’re just references. Basically, in Flash, an array variable is a pointer. A number variable is not. Why? Consider the following
myArray = myOtherArray;
myNumber = myOtherNumber;
if you change myArray, you are also changing myOtherArray since array variables are references - or pointers - to the array in memory. changing myNumber wont affect myOtherNumber at all since myNumber is a direct copy and not the same position in memory as the original myOtherNumber.
Having pointers gives you direct control over what you use as a copy and what you use as a reference.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH…
Why are you torturing me, senocular???
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH…