cpp / beginner
Snippet
References as Aliases
A reference is an alias (alternative name) for an existing variable. Unlike pointers, references cannot be null and must be initialized when created. Use the & symbol in both declaration and function parameters. When you modify a reference, you modify the original variable. References are safer than pointers and make code more readable.
snippet.cpp
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#include <iostream>void doubleValue(int& ref) {ref = ref * 2;}int main() {int original = 10;int& alias = original;std::cout << "Original: " << original << std::endl;std::cout << "Alias: " << alias << std::endl;alias = 20;std::cout << "After changing alias: " << original << std::endl;doubleValue(original);std::cout << "After doubleValue: " << original << std::endl;return 0;}
Breakdown
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int& alias = original;
Creates reference alias that refers to original variable
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alias = 20;
Modifying alias also changes original since they share memory
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void doubleValue(int& ref) {
Reference parameter lets function modify caller's variable directly
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ref = ref * 2;
Changes the original variable in main through the reference
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doubleValue(original);
Passes original to function which doubles it through the reference