References

Lecture 2 - Slide 13 : 29

References

A reference in C++ is an alias

A reference is an alternative name for an object

  int k = 3;
  double a = 5.0;
  double &d = a;
  void f(int &i, double &d);
  f(k,a);

Why references in C++?
- An implementation of call-by-reference parameters - instead of relying on pointers passed by value
- An optimization of large call-by-value parameters - by means of const references (meaning: a reference to a constant)
  - Name binding to temporary objects
- Essential for programming parameters of copy constructors and assignment operator overloads

A reference in C++ can be understood as a generalization of "call by reference parameters"

Thus, C++ references are not just related to parameter mechanisms - they represent a broader concept

The C++ Prog. Lang. (3. edition): Argument passing. Value return. Page 145-148