Module 07

Partha Pratim
Das
Module 07: Programming in C++
Objectives &
Outlines
Reference & Pointer
Reference
variable

Call-by- Partha Pratim Das

reference
Swap in C
Swap in C++ Department of Computer Science and Engineering
const Reference
Parameter Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
Return-by-
reference
ppd@cse.iitkgp.ernet.in

I/O of a
Function
Tanwi Mallick
References vs. Srijoni Majumdar
Pointers
Himadri B G S Bhuyan
Summary

NPTEL MOOCs Programming in C++ Partha Pratim Das 1

 Module Objectives

Module 07

Partha Pratim Understand References in C++

Das
Compare and contrast References and Pointers
Objectives &
Outlines

Reference
variable

Call-by-
reference
Swap in C
Swap in C++
const Reference
Parameter

Return-by-
reference

I/O of a
Function

References vs.
Pointers

Summary

NPTEL MOOCs Programming in C++ Partha Pratim Das 2

 Module Outline

Module 07

Partha Pratim Reference variable or Alias

Das
Basic Notion
Objectives & Call-by-reference in C++
Outlines
Example: Swapping two number in C
Reference
variable Using Call-by-value
Call-by- Using Call-by-address
reference
Swap in C
Swap in C++
Call-by-reference in C++ in contrast to Call-by-value in C
const Reference
Parameter Use of const in Alias / Reference
Return-by-
reference Return-by-reference in C++ in contrast to
I/O of a Return-by-value in C
Function

References vs.
Differences between References and Pointers
Pointers

Summary

NPTEL MOOCs Programming in C++ Partha Pratim Das 3

 Module 07: Lecture 10

Module 07

Partha Pratim Reference variable or Alias

Das
Basic Notion
Objectives & Call-by-reference in C++
Outlines
Example: Swapping two number in C
Reference
variable Using Call-by-value
Call-by- Using Call-by-address
reference
Swap in C
Swap in C++
Call-by-reference in C++ in contrast to Call-by-value in C
const Reference
Parameter

Return-by-
reference

I/O of a
Function

References vs.
Pointers

Summary

NPTEL MOOCs Programming in C++ Partha Pratim Das 4

 Reference

Module 07

Partha Pratim A reference is an alias / synonym for an existing variable

Das
int i = 15; // i is a variable
Objectives &
Outlines int &j = i; // j is a reference to i
Reference
variable

Call-by- i ← variable
reference
Swap in C 15 ← memory content
Swap in C++
const Reference
Parameter
200 ← address
Return-by- j ← alias or reference
reference

I/O of a
Function

References vs.
Pointers

Summary

NPTEL MOOCs Programming in C++ Partha Pratim Das 5

 Program 07.01: Behavior of Reference

Module 07
#include <iostream>
Partha Pratim using namespace std;
Das
int main() {
int a = 10, &b = a; // b is reference of a
Objectives &
Outlines // a and b have the same memory
cout << "a = " << a << ", b = " << b << endl;
Reference
cout << "&a = " << &a << ", &b = " << &b << endl;
variable

Call-by- ++a; // Changing a appears as change in b

reference cout << "a = " << a << ", b = " << b << endl;
Swap in C
Swap in C++
++b; // Changing b also changes a
const Reference
cout << "a = " << a << ", b = " << b << endl;
Parameter
return 0;
Return-by- }
reference

I/O of a a = 10, b = 10
Function &a = 002BF944, &b = 002BF944
a = 11, b = 11
References vs. a = 12, b = 12
Pointers

Summary • a and b have the same memory location and hence the same value
• Changing one changes the other and vice-versa

NPTEL MOOCs Programming in C++ Partha Pratim Das 6

 Pitfalls in Reference

Module 07 Wrong declaration Reason Correct declaration

Partha Pratim
Das int& i; no variable to refer to – must be initialized int& i = j;

int& j = 5; no address to refer to as 5 is a constant const int& j = 5;

Objectives &
Outlines
int& i = j + k; only temporary address (result of j + k) to refer to const int& i = j + k;
Reference
variable

Call-by-
reference
Swap in C
Swap in C++
const Reference
Parameter

Return-by-
reference

I/O of a
Function

References vs.
Pointers

Summary

NPTEL MOOCs Programming in C++ Partha Pratim Das 7

 C++ Program 07.02: Call-by-reference

Module 07 #include <iostream>

using namespace std;
Partha Pratim
Das void Function_under_param_test(// Function prototype
int &b, // Reference parameter
int c); // Value parameter
Objectives &
Outlines int main() {
int a = 20;
Reference
cout << "a = " << a << ", &a = " << &a << endl << endl;
variable
Function_under_param_test(a, a); // Function call
Call-by-
reference return 0;
}
Swap in C
Swap in C++
const Reference
void Function_under_param_test(int &b, int c) { // Function definition
Parameter cout << "b = " << b << ", &b = " << &b << endl << endl;
cout << "c = " << c << ", &c = " << &c << endl << endl;
Return-by- }
reference ------- Output -------
a = 20, &a = 0023FA30
I/O of a
b = 20, &b = 0023FA30
Function
c = 20, &c = 0023F95C
References vs.
Pointers • Param b is call-by-reference while param c is call-by-value
• Actual param a and formal param b get the same value in called function
Summary
• Actual param a and formal param c get the same value in called function
• Actual param a and formal param b get the same value in called function
• However, actual param a and formal param c have different addresses in called function
NPTEL MOOCs Programming in C++ Partha Pratim Das 8
 C Program 07.03: Swap in C

Module 07 Call-by-value Call-by-address

Partha Pratim #include <stdio.h> #include <stdio.h>

Das
void swap(int, int); // Call-by-value void swap(int *, int *); // Call-by-address
int main() { int main() {
Objectives & int a = 10, b = 15; int a=10, b=15;
Outlines printf("a= %d & b= %d to swap\n", a, b); printf("a= %d & b= %d to swap\n", a, b);
swap(a, b); swap(&a, &b);
Reference
printf("a= %d & b= %d on swap\n", a, b); printf("a= %d & b= %d on swap\n", a, b);
variable
return 0; return 0;
Call-by- } }
reference
void swap(int c, int d){ void swap(int *x, int *y){
Swap in C
Swap in C++
int t; int t;
const Reference
t = c; t = *x;
Parameter c = d; *x = *y;
d = t; *y = t;
Return-by- } }
reference

I/O of a • a= 10 & b= 15 to swap • a= 10 & b= 15 to swap

Function • a= 10 & b= 15 on swap • a= 15 & b= 10 on swap
References vs.
Pointers • Passing values of a=10 & b=15 • Passing Address of a & b
• In callee; c = 10 & d = 15 • In callee x = Addr(a) & y = Addr(b)
Summary • Swapping the values of c & d • Values at the addresses is swapped
• No change for the values of a & b in caller • Changes for the values of a & b in caller
• Swapping the value of c & d instead of a & b • It is correct, but C++ has a better way out

NPTEL MOOCs Programming in C++ Partha Pratim Das 9

 Program 07.04: Swap in C & C++

Module 07 C Program: Call-by-value – wrong C++ Program: Call-by-reference – right

Partha Pratim #include <stdio.h> #include <iostream>

Das using namespace std;
void swap(int, int); // Call-by-value void swap(int&, int&); // Call-by-reference
int main() { int main() {
Objectives & int a = 10, b = 15; int a = 10, b = 15;
Outlines printf("a= %d & b= %d to swap\n",a,b); cout<<"a= "<<a<<" & b= "<<b<<"to swap"<<endl;
swap(a, b); swap(a, b);
Reference
printf("a= %d & b= %d on swap\n",a,b); cout<<"a= "<<a<<" & b= "<<b<<"on swap"<<endl;
variable
return 0; return 0;
Call-by- } }
reference
void swap(int c, int d) { void swap(int &x, int &y) {
Swap in C
Swap in C++
int t ; int t ;
const Reference
t = c ; t = x ;
Parameter c = d ; x = y ;
d = t ; y = t ;
Return-by- } }
reference

I/O of a • a= 10 & b= 15 to swap • a= 10 & b= 15 to swap

Function • a= 10 & b= 15 on swap • a= 15 & b= 10 on swap
References vs.
Pointers • Passing values of a=10 & b=15 • Passing values of a = 10 & b = 15
• In callee; c=10 & d=15 • In callee x = 10 & y = 15
Summary • Swapping the values of c & d • Swapping the value x & y
• No change for the values of a & b • Changes the values of a & b
• Here c & d do not share address with a & b • x & y having same address as a & b respectively

NPTEL MOOCs Programming in C++ Partha Pratim Das 10

 Module 07: End Of Lecture 10

Module 07

Partha Pratim Reference variable or Alias

Das
Basic Notion
Objectives & Call-by-reference in C++
Outlines
Example: Swapping two number in C
Reference
variable Using Call-by-value
Call-by- Using Call-by-address
reference
Swap in C
Swap in C++
Call-by-reference in C++ in contrast to Call-by-value in C
const Reference
Parameter

Return-by-
reference

I/O of a
Function

References vs.
Pointers

Summary

NPTEL MOOCs Programming in C++ Partha Pratim Das 11

 Module 07: Lecture 11

Module 07

Partha Pratim Use of const in Alias / Reference

Das
Return-by-reference in C++ in contrast to
Objectives &
Outlines Return-by-value in C
Reference
variable
Differences between References and Pointers
Call-by-
reference
Swap in C
Swap in C++
const Reference
Parameter

Return-by-
reference

I/O of a
Function

References vs.
Pointers

Summary

NPTEL MOOCs Programming in C++ Partha Pratim Das 12

 Program 07.05: Reference Parameter as const

Module 07 A reference parameter may get changed in the called

Partha Pratim function
Das
Use const to stop reference parameter being changed
Objectives &
Outlines
const reference – bad const reference – good
Reference
variable #include <iostream> #include <iostream>
using namespace std; using namespace std;
Call-by-
reference int Ref_const(const int &x) { int Ref_const(const int &x) {
Swap in C ++x; // Not allowed
Swap in C++ return (x); return (x + 1);
const Reference } }
Parameter
int main() { int main() {
Return-by-
int a = 10, b; int a = 10, b;
reference
b = Ref_const(a); b = Ref_const(a);
I/O of a cout << "a = " << a <<" and" cout << "a = " << a << " and"
Function << " b = " << b; << " b = " << b;
return 0; return 0;
References vs. } }
Pointers
• Error:Increment of read only Reference ’x’ a = 10 and b = 11
Summary
• Compilation Error: Value of x can’t be changed • No violation.
• Implies, ’a’ can’t be changed through ’x’

NPTEL MOOCs Programming in C++ Partha Pratim Das 13

 Program 07.06: Return-by-reference

Module 07 A function can return a value by reference

Partha Pratim
Das
C uses Return-by-value
Return-by-value Return-by-reference
Objectives &
Outlines #include <iostream> #include <iostream>
using namespace std; using namespace std;
Reference
variable int Function_Return_By_Val(int &x) { int& Function_Return_By_Ref(int &x) {
cout <<"x = "<<x<<" &x = "<<&x<<endl; cout <<"x = "<<x<<" &x = "<<&x<<endl;
Call-by- return (x); return (x);
reference } }
Swap in C int main() { int main() {
Swap in C++ int a = 10; int a = 10;
const Reference cout <<"a = "<<a<<" &a = "<<&a<<endl; cout <<"a = "<<a<<" &a = "<<&a<<endl;
Parameter

Return-by- const int& b = // const needed. Why? const int& b = // const optional
reference Function_Return_By_Val(a); Function_Return_By_Ref(a);

I/O of a cout <<"b = "<<b<<" &b = "<<&b<<endl; cout <<"b = "<<b<<" &b = "<<&b<<endl;
Function return 0; return 0;
} }
References vs.
Pointers a = 10 &a = 00DCFD18 a = 10 &a = 00A7F8FC
x = 10 &x = 00DCFD18 x = 10 &x = 00A7F8FC
Summary b = 10 &b = 00DCFD00 b = 10 &b = 00A7F8FC

• Returned variable is temporary • Returned variable is an alias of a

• Has a different address • Has the same address
NPTEL MOOCs Programming in C++ Partha Pratim Das 14
 Program 07.07: Return-by-reference can get tricky

Module 07 Return-by-reference Return-by-reference – Risky!

Partha Pratim #include <iostream> #include <iostream>

Das using namespace std; using namespace std;
int& Return_ref(int &x) { int& Return_ref(int &x) {
int t = x;
Objectives & t++;
Outlines return (x); return (t);
} }
Reference
variable
int main() { int main() {
Call-by- int a = 10, b; int a = 10, b;
reference b = Return_ref(a); b = Return_ref(a);
cout << "a = " << a << " and b = " cout << "a = " << a << " and b = "
Swap in C
Swap in C++
<< b << endl; << b << endl;
const Reference
Parameter Return_ref(a) = 3; // Changes Return_ref(a) = 3;
// reference
Return-by- cout << "a = " << a; cout << "a = " << a;
reference
return 0; return 0;
I/O of a
} }
Function
a = 10 and b = 10 a = 10 and b = 11
References vs.
a=3 a = 10
Pointers

Summary • Note how a value is assigned to function call • We expect a to be 3, but it has not changed
• This can change a local variable • It returns reference to local. This is risky

NPTEL MOOCs Programming in C++ Partha Pratim Das 15

 I/O of a Function

Module 07 In C++ we can changes values with a function as follows:

Partha Pratim
Das
Orifice Purpose Mechanism
Value Parameter Input Call-by-value
Objectives &
Outlines Reference Parameter In-Out Call-by-reference
Reference const Reference Parameter Input Call-by-reference
variable

Call-by-
Return Value Output Return-by-value
reference Return-by-reference
Swap in C
Swap in C++
const Reference
Parameter

Return-by-
reference

I/O of a
Function

References vs.
Pointers

Summary

NPTEL MOOCs Programming in C++ Partha Pratim Das 16

 Recommended Mechanisms

Module 07 Call
Partha Pratim
Pass parameters of built-in types by value
Das Recall: Array parameters are passed by reference in C
Objectives & Pass parameters of user-defined types by reference
Outlines
Make a reference parameter const if it is not used for
Reference output
variable

Call-by- Return
reference
Swap in C
Return built-in types by value
Swap in C++ Return user-defined types by reference
const Reference
Parameter Return value is not copied back
Return-by- May be faster than returning a value
reference
Beware: Calling function can change returned object
I/O of a
Function Never return a local variables by reference
References vs.
Pointers

Summary

NPTEL MOOCs Programming in C++ Partha Pratim Das 17

 Difference between Reference and Pointer

Module 07 Pointers References

Partha Pratim • Refers to an address • Refers to an address
Das • Pointers can point to NULL. • References cannot be NULL
int *p = NULL; // p is not pointing int &j ; //wrong
Objectives & • Pointers can point to different vari- • For a reference, its referent is fixed
Outlines
ables at different times
Reference int a, c, &b = a; // Okay
variable
int a, b, *p; ........
Call-by- p = &a; // p points to a &b = c // Error
reference ...
Swap in C
Swap in C++
p = &b // p points to b
const Reference
Parameter
• NULL checking is required • Makes code faster
Return-by-
reference
Does not require NULL checking
• Allows users to operate on the ad- • Does not allow users to operate
I/O of a
Function
dress – diff pointers, increment, etc. on the address. All operations are
interpreted for the referent
References vs. • Array of pointers can be defined • Array of references not allowed
Pointers

Summary

NPTEL MOOCs Programming in C++ Partha Pratim Das 18

 Module Summary

Module 07

Partha Pratim Introduced reference in C++

Das
Studied the difference between call-by-value and
Objectives &
Outlines call-by-reference
Reference
variable
Studied the difference between return-by-value and
Call-by-
return-by-reference
reference
Swap in C
Discussed the difference between References and Pointers
Swap in C++
const Reference
Parameter

Return-by-
reference

I/O of a
Function

References vs.
Pointers

Summary

NPTEL MOOCs Programming in C++ Partha Pratim Das 19

 Instructor and TAs

Module 07

Partha Pratim
Das Name Mail Mobile
Objectives &
Partha Pratim Das, Instructor ppd@cse.iitkgp.ernet.in 9830030880
Outlines Tanwi Mallick, TA tanwimallick@gmail.com 9674277774
Reference
Srijoni Majumdar, TA majumdarsrijoni@gmail.com 9674474267
variable Himadri B G S Bhuyan, TA himadribhuyan@gmail.com 9438911655
Call-by-
reference
Swap in C
Swap in C++
const Reference
Parameter

Return-by-
reference

I/O of a
Function

References vs.
Pointers

Summary

NPTEL MOOCs Programming in C++ Partha Pratim Das 20