/* - Let's Learn C++ - Rademaker Robin - Edited on 17/02/2019 - - Learning about References - - Inspired by AZZTECO - check out his extended explanation - https://code.sololearn.com/cYF432ujeucS/?ref=app */ #include using namespace std; /* What are References in C++ ? A reference variable is an alias, that is, another name for an already existing variable. Once a reference is initialized with a variable, either the variable name or the reference name may be used to refer to the variable. Visit https://www.tutorialspoint.com/cplusplus/cpp_references.htm for complete explanation. */ int main(){ // our normal variable int a = 5; // This how we declare a reference // Not refering to a variable is NOT valid! // (you can write int& ref or int &ref, but using int& is maybe better // because this way y know it's a reference int) int& ref = a; // Basic output cout << "Our normal variable: " << a << endl; cout << "Our reference to a: " << ref << "\r\r"; // Same as with pointers, if we alter "a" then "ref" changes too // Same for "ref", then a changes! a ++, ref ++; cout << "Altered variable: " << a << endl; cout << "Altered reference to a: " << ref << endl; // So what is the difference then? /* * Pointer can be declared as NULL, referencesv cannot. * Once initialized to an object, it cannot refer to another object. Pointers can be pointed to another object at any time. * Reference MUST be INITIALIZED when created. Pointers can be initialized at any time! Visit https://www.tutorialspoint.com/cplusplus/cpp_references.htm for further details */ return 0; }

Cpp - About References