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CPP 6

The document discusses references in C++. It begins by explaining that a reference is like a pointer that cannot be changed once initialized. It then provides an example of rewriting a swap function to use references rather than pointers. The document continues by explaining some basics of references, such as that a reference acts as an alias for the variable it refers to. It also warns of dangers like returning a reference to a local variable. The document concludes by discussing why passing by reference rather than by value can help improve performance but also has dangers, so functions should declare references as const when not intending to modify them.

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41 views

CPP 6

The document discusses references in C++. It begins by explaining that a reference is like a pointer that cannot be changed once initialized. It then provides an example of rewriting a swap function to use references rather than pointers. The document continues by explaining some basics of references, such as that a reference acts as an alias for the variable it refers to. It also warns of dangers like returning a reference to a local variable. The document concludes by discussing why passing by reference rather than by value can help improve performance but also has dangers, so functions should declare references as const when not intending to modify them.

Uploaded by

api-3697260
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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References

• C++ gives us a new tool – a “reference”


• A reference is like a pointer that can’t be
Intro to C++ part 6 changed.
• Recall the “swap” function:
Daniel Wigdor
void swap(int *x, int *y) {
Some material from: int store = *x;
1. Richard Watson *x = *y;
2. Winston, P.H., “On to C++” *y = store;
ISBN: 0-201-58043-8 }

From C to C++ Why Use References?


• This can be re-written with references: • References provide a subset of the
functionality of a pointer.
// old one
void swap(int *x, int *y) {
• References are easier to use &
int store = *x; understand than pointers
*x = *y;
*y = store; • No need to dereference variables
}

// new one
void swap(int &x, int &y) {
int store = x;
x = y;
y = store;
}

Basics of References Danger!!


• Declare a reference to x, called r: • Notice something wrong with that
main() {
int x = 17;
function?
int &r = x;
int &max(int x, int y) {
r = 18; if (x > y) { return x; }
cout << x << endl; else { return y; }
cout << r << endl; }
}
• A function that returns by reference: • A reference to one of x or y is returned.
int &max(int x, int y) {
When do these variables go out of scope?
if (x > y) { return x; }
else { return y; }
}

1
The Safe Version Why not always use references?

• References can never be “null”


#include <iostream.h>

int &max(int &x, int &y) {


if (x > y) { return x; } • References can never be reassigned
else { return y; }
} • Returning by reference can be dangerous.
main() {
int x = 17;
int y = 19;
int &z = max(x,y );
y = 18;
cout << x << endl; // what is output?
cout << y << endl; // what is output?
cout << z << endl; // what is output?
}

Isn’t Passing by Reference


Why Ever Pass by Reference?
Dangerous?
• Some functions require it (like swap) • Passing by reference means that any
• Others don’t – but you should consider changes made inside the function affect
using it anyway to save time & memory. the original version.
• If you pass an object the usual (“by value”) • Functions can declare that they will not
way, it is copied: change members passed by reference:
Cat max_size(Cat o, Cat t) { … Groom(const Cat &c) {
c.height = 17; // illegal
• Passing by reference makes no copy: ...
}
Cat &max_size(Cat &o, Cat &t) { …

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