Hello again!
Today I am going to explain how to use references and pointers during our programming.
First of all advantages & disadvanteges:
A:
– we don’t create a copy of our arguments, we work only on a reference or pointer
– faster realization and faster compilation in comparison to transfer args through values
-we can return a lot of values
D:
– more difficult to learn it and more difficult to use it
We are after a short introduction, so go on:
/*Using references
by Maciej Jędrzejewski*/
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
void sum(int &, int &); //here we declare function with references ( "&" operator)
int main()
{
int a,b;
cout << "Insert a: " << endl;
cin >> a;
cout << endl;
cout << "Insert b:" << endl;
cin >> b;
cout << endl;
sum(a,b);
return 0;
}
void sum(int &rA, int &B) //here is a definition of our function
{
cout << rA + rB << endl;
}
Then, pointers
/*Using pointers
*
*by Maciej Jędrzejewski*/
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
void sum(int *pA, int *pB); //here we declare function with references ( "&" operator)
int main()
{
int a,b;
cout << "Insert a: " << endl;
cin >> a;
cout << endl;
cout << "Insert b:" << endl;
cin >> b;
cout << endl;
sum(&a,&b); // as you can see, we have to add & operator to our variables, first disadvantage of using pointers
return 0;
}
void sum(int *pA, int *pB) //here is a definition of our function
{
cout << *pA + *pB << endl; // and here there is a second disadvantage - because pointer "drives" us to variable, we have to use *operator to get a value which is under our pointer!
}
As you can see I use prefix, when I write reference or pointer. For pointer it is „p” and for reference it is „r”, but it is not necessary, it is just my own custom style.
What to use? I am sure that all of you will answer that it is 1st option – references. These are easier, better to remember. And you are right, those cases in which you can use reference – use it instead of pointers. Of course, there are few of situations, where pointers are irreplaceable, but for more informations you have to wait for the next article.
