The best replacement for pointers is references.

The best alternatives to pointers are rated as following:
★★★★★  references
★★★  arrays
★★  flushers
★★  setters
★★  variables
★★  references c++
★★  objects
★  references java
★  arrays c++
★  handles
★  reference variables
★  global variables
★  references c
★  labs
  cursors
  pointing labs
  flushing dogs
  english setters
  pass by reference
  functors
  pointer to array

Your alternative for pointers is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about pointers, one probably shouldn't forget about arrays.

Other search terms related to pointers and their ratings are:
★★★★★ arrays
★★ functions in c
★★ binky
★★ strings
★★ arrays c++
★ multidimensional arrays in c
★ classes c++
★ c
★ structures
★ structures in c
★ structure
★ 2d arrays
arrays in c
one dimensional arrays
multidimensional arrays
You have in mind a companion for pointers and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of pointers in all years. Click on graph for more.
pointers
references
arrays