Navigating C++ and Object-Oriented Design

3.3. References with Functions

Chapter 2 introduces references as aliases (see “References” on page 41). Although aliases have some advantages over pointers, the real power of references is with functions. This section shows you why references are beneficial with function arguments and return values. We also show you how to use references to pointers in function arguments.

References as Function Arguments

Function arguments may be references. The formats are

						Type function_name(Type &);            // prototype 

Type function_name(Type & arg)         // definition
{
   function body
}

Function calls with arguments initialize a reference and create an alias. Inside the body of the function, the alias arg refers to the corresponding argument in the caller's program. ...