What does the `this` pointer refer to in a class?

The this pointer in a class refers to the current instance of the class. It is a special pointer available within all non-static member functions, allowing access to the instance variables and methods of that specific object. This pointer points to the address of the object for which the member function was called, enabling differentiation between instance variables and parameters, especially when they share the same names.

By using the this pointer, you can define behaviors and properties specific to the current instance while avoiding ambiguities. For example, if you have a member variable and a parameter with the same name, you can disambiguate by using this->variableName to explicitly refer to the instance variable. This way, this plays a crucial role in object-oriented programming in C++, facilitating clarity and ensuring the correct context is referenced when accessing member data and functions.