Module M07

L
Partha Pratim
Das
Programming in Modern C++

E
Objectives &
Outlines
Module M07: Reference & Pointer

T
Reference
Pitfalls

P
Call-by-Reference
Swap in C
Swap in C++ Partha Pratim Das

N
const Reference
Parameter

Return-by- Department of Computer Science and Engineering

Reference Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
Pitfalls

I/O Params of a [email protected]

Function

Recommended
Mechanisms All url’s in this module have been accessed in September, 2021 and found to be functional
References vs.
Pointers

Module Summary

Programming in Modern C++ Partha Pratim Das M07.1

 Module Recap

Module M07

• Revisited manifest constants from C

L
Partha Pratim
Das
• Understood const-ness, its use and advantages over manifest constants, and its

E
Objectives &
Outlines interplay with pointers

T
Reference
Pitfalls
• Understood the notion and use of volatile data
• Revisited macros with parameters from C

P
Call-by-Reference
Swap in C
Swap in C++ • Understood inline functions, their advantages over macros, and their limitations

N
const Reference
Parameter

Return-by-
Reference
Pitfalls

I/O Params of a
Function

Recommended
Mechanisms

References vs.
Pointers

Module Summary

Programming in Modern C++ Partha Pratim Das M07.2

 Module Objectives

Module M07

• Understand References in C++

L
Partha Pratim
Das
• Compare and contrast References and Pointers

E
Objectives &
Outlines

T
Reference
Pitfalls

P
Call-by-Reference
Swap in C
Swap in C++

N
const Reference
Parameter

Return-by-
Reference
Pitfalls

I/O Params of a
Function

Recommended
Mechanisms

References vs.
Pointers

Module Summary

Programming in Modern C++ Partha Pratim Das M07.3

 Module Outline

Module M07
1 Reference Variable

L
Partha Pratim
Das
Pitfalls in Reference

E
Objectives &
Outlines 2 Call-by-Reference

T
Reference Simple C Program to swap
Pitfalls
Simple C/C++ Program to swap two numbers

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

N
const Reference
Parameter 3 Return-by-Reference
Return-by- Pitfalls of Return-by Reference
Reference
Pitfalls
4 I/O Parameters of a Function
I/O Params of a
Function

Recommended
5 Recommended Call and Return Mechanisms
Mechanisms

References vs.
6 Difference between Reference and Pointer
Pointers

Module Summary 7 Module Summary

Programming in Modern C++ Partha Pratim Das M07.4
 Reference Variable

Module M07

L
Partha Pratim
Das

E
Objectives &
Outlines

T
Reference
Pitfalls

P
Call-by-Reference
Swap in C
Swap in C++

N
const Reference
Parameter

Return-by-
Reference
Pitfalls

I/O Params of a
Function Reference Variable
Recommended
Mechanisms

References vs.
Pointers

Module Summary

Programming in Modern C++ Partha Pratim Das M07.5

 Reference

Module M07

• A reference is an alias / synonym for an existing variable

L
Partha Pratim
Das
int i = 15; // i is a variable

E
Objectives &
Outlines int &j = i; // j is a reference to i

T
Reference
Pitfalls
i ← variable

P
Call-by-Reference
Swap in C 15 ← memory content
Swap in C++
← address &i = &j

N
200
const Reference
Parameter
j ← alias or reference
Return-by-
Reference
Pitfalls

I/O Params of a
Function

Recommended
Mechanisms

References vs.
Pointers

Module Summary

Programming in Modern C++ Partha Pratim Das M07.6

 Program 07.01: Behavior of Reference
#include <iostream>
Module M07
using namespace std;

L
Partha Pratim
Das int main() {
int a = 10, &b = a; // b is reference of a

E
Objectives &
Outlines
// a and b have the same memory location

T
Reference cout << "a = " << a << ", b = " << b << ". " << "&a = " << &a << ", &b = " << &b << endl;
Pitfalls

P
Call-by-Reference ++a; // Changing a appears as change in b
Swap in C cout << "a = " << a << ", b = " << b << endl;
Swap in C++

N
const Reference ++b; // Changing b also changes a
Parameter
cout << "a = " << a << ", b = " << b << endl;
Return-by- }
Reference
Pitfalls

I/O Params of a a = 10, b = 10. &a = 002BF944, &b = 002BF944

Function a = 11, b = 11
Recommended a = 12, b = 12
Mechanisms

References vs.
Pointers • a and b have the same memory location and hence the same value
• Changing one changes the other and vice-versa
Module Summary

Programming in Modern C++ Partha Pratim Das M07.7

 Pitfalls in Reference

Module M07 Wrong declaration Reason Correct declaration

L
Partha Pratim
Das int& i; no variable (address) 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;

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

T
Reference
Pitfalls #include <iostream>

P
Call-by-Reference using namespace std;
Swap in C
Swap in C++
int main() {

N
const Reference
Parameter int i = 2;
Return-by- int& j = i;
Reference
const int& k = 5; // const tells compiler to allocate a memory with the value 5
Pitfalls
const int& l = j + k; // Similarly for j + k = 7 for l to refer to
I/O Params of a
Function

Recommended
cout << i << ", " << &i << endl; // Prints: 2, 0x61fef8
Mechanisms cout << j << ", " << &j << endl; // Prints: 2, 0x61fef8
References vs. cout << k << ", " << &k << endl; // Prints: 5, 0x61fefc
Pointers cout << l << ", " << &l << endl; // Prints: 7, 0x61ff00
Module Summary }
Programming in Modern C++ Partha Pratim Das M07.8
 Call-by-Reference

Module M07

L
Partha Pratim
Das

E
Objectives &
Outlines

T
Reference
Pitfalls

P
Call-by-Reference
Swap in C
Swap in C++

N
const Reference
Parameter

Return-by-
Reference
Pitfalls

I/O Params of a
Function Call-by-Reference
Recommended
Mechanisms

References vs.
Pointers

Module Summary

Programming in Modern C++ Partha Pratim Das M07.9

 C++ Program 07.02: Call-by-Reference

Module M07 #include <iostream>

using namespace std;

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Partha Pratim
Das
void Function_under_param_test( // Function prototype
int&, // Reference parameter

E
Objectives &
Outlines int); // Value parameter

T
Reference
Pitfalls
int main() { int a = 20;
cout << "a = " << a << ", &a = " << &a << endl << endl;

P
Call-by-Reference
Function_under_param_test(a, a); // Function call
Swap in C
}
Swap in C++
void Function_under_param_test(int &b, int c) { // Function definition

N
const Reference
Parameter cout << "b = " << b << ", &b = " << &b << endl << endl;
Return-by-
cout << "c = " << c << ", &c = " << &c << endl << endl;
Reference }
Pitfalls ------- Output -------
a = 20, &a = 0023FA30
I/O Params of a
Function b = 20, &b = 0023FA30 // Address of b is same as a as b is a reference of a
c = 20, &c = 0023F95C // Address different from a as c is a copy of a
Recommended
Mechanisms • Param b is call-by-reference while param c is call-by-value
References vs. • Actual param a and formal param b get the same value in called function
Pointers • Actual param a and formal param c get the same value in called function
Module Summary
• Actual param a and formal param b get the same address in called function
• However, actual param a and formal param c have different addresses in called function
Programming in Modern C++ Partha Pratim Das M07.10
 C Program 07.03: Swap in C

Module M07 Call-by-value – wrong Call-by-address – right

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

E
Objectives & void swap(int, int); // Call-by-value void swap(int *, int *); // Call-by-address
Outlines int main() { int a = 10, b = 15; int main() { int a=10, b=15;
printf("a= %d & b= %d to swap\n", a, b); printf("a= %d & b= %d to swap\n", a, b);

T
Reference
Pitfalls
swap(a, b); swap(&a, &b); // Unnatural call
printf("a= %d & b= %d on swap\n", a, b); printf("a= %d & b= %d on swap\n", a, b);

P
Call-by-Reference
} }
Swap in C
void swap(int c, int d) { int t; void swap(int *x, int *y) { int t;
Swap in C++

N
const Reference
t = c; c = d; d = t; t = *x; *x = *y; *y = t;
Parameter } }
Return-by-
Reference
Pitfalls • a= 10 & b= 15 to swap • a= 10 & b= 15 to swap
I/O Params of a
• a= 10 & b= 15 on swap // No swap • a= 15 & b= 10 on swap // Correct swap
Function

Recommended
Mechanisms • 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)
References vs.
Pointers
• Swapping the values of c & d • Values at the addresses is swapped
• No change for the values of a & b in caller • Desired changes for the values of a & b in caller
Module Summary • Swapping the value of c & d instead of a & b • It is correct, but C++ has a better way out
Programming in Modern C++ Partha Pratim Das M07.11
 Program 07.04: Swap in C & C++

Module M07
C Program: Call-by-value – wrong C++ Program: Call-by-reference – right

L
Partha Pratim
Das #include <stdio.h> #include <iostream>
using namespace std;

E
Objectives & void swap(int, int); // Call-by-value void swap(int&, int&); // Call-by-reference
Outlines
int main() { int a = 10, b = 15; int main() { int a = 10, b = 15;

T
Reference printf("a= %d & b= %d to swap\n",a,b); cout<<"a= "<<a<<" & b= "<<b<<"to swap"<<endl;
Pitfalls swap(a, b); swap(a, b); // Natural call
printf("a= %d & b= %d on swap\n",a,b); cout<<"a= "<<a<<" & b= "<<b<<"on swap"<<endl;

P
Call-by-Reference
Swap in C } }
Swap in C++ void swap(int c, int d) { int t ; void swap(int &x, int &y) { int t ;

N
const Reference t = c; c = d; d = t; t = x; x = y; y = t;
Parameter
} }
Return-by-
Reference
Pitfalls
• a= 10 & b= 15 to swap • a= 10 & b= 15 to swap
I/O Params of a • a= 10 & b= 15 on swap // No swap • a= 15 & b= 10 on swap // Correct swap
Function

Recommended
Mechanisms • Passing values of a=10 & b=15 • Passing values of a = 10 & b = 15
References vs. • In callee; c = 10 & d = 15 • In callee: x = 10 & y = 15
Pointers • Swapping the values of c & d • Swapping the values of x & y
Module Summary
• No change for the values of a & b in caller • Desired changes for the values of a & b in caller
• Here c & d do not share address with a & b • x & y having same address as a & b respectively
Programming in Modern C++ Partha Pratim Das M07.12
 Program 07.05: Reference Parameter as const

Module M07
• A reference parameter may get changed in the called function
• Use const to stop reference parameter being changed

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Partha Pratim
Das
const reference – bad const reference – good

E
Objectives &
Outlines #include <iostream> #include <iostream>

T
Reference using namespace std; using namespace std;
Pitfalls
int Ref_const(const int &x) { int Ref_const(const int &x) {

P
Call-by-Reference
Swap in C
++x; // Not allowed
Swap in C++
return (x); return (x + 1);

N
const Reference } }
Parameter int main() { int a = 10, b; int main() { int a = 10, b;
Return-by- b = Ref_const(a); b = Ref_const(a);
Reference cout << "a = " << a <<" and" cout << "a = " << a << " and"
Pitfalls << " b = " << b; << " b = " << b;
I/O Params of a } }
Function

Recommended
Mechanisms
• Error: Increment of read only Reference ’x’ a = 10 and b = 11
References vs.
Pointers
• Compilation Error: Value of x cannot be changed • No violation
Module Summary • Implies, a cannot be changed through x
Programming in Modern C++ Partha Pratim Das M07.13
 Return-by-Reference

Module M07

L
Partha Pratim
Das

E
Objectives &
Outlines

T
Reference
Pitfalls

P
Call-by-Reference
Swap in C
Swap in C++

N
const Reference
Parameter

Return-by-
Reference
Pitfalls

I/O Params of a
Function Return-by-Reference
Recommended
Mechanisms

References vs.
Pointers

Module Summary

Programming in Modern C++ Partha Pratim Das M07.14

 Program 07.06: Return-by-Reference

Module M07 • A function can return a value by reference (Return-by-Reference)

• C uses Return-by-value

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Partha Pratim
Das Return-by-value Return-by-reference

E
Objectives & #include <iostream> #include <iostream>
Outlines using namespace std; using namespace std;

T
Reference int Function_Return_By_Val(int &x) { int& Function_Return_By_Ref(int &x) {
Pitfalls cout << "x = " << x << " &x = " << &x << endl; cout << "x = " << x << " &x = " << &x << endl;
return (x); return (x);

P
Call-by-Reference
Swap in C
} }
Swap in C++
int main() { int a = 10; int main() { int a = 10;

N
const Reference cout << "a = " << a << " &a = " << &a << endl; cout << "a = " << a << " &a = " << &a << endl;
Parameter const int& b = // const needed. Why? const int& b = // const optional
Return-by- Function_Return_By_Val(a); Function_Return_By_Ref(a);
Reference cout << "b = " << b << " &b = " << &b << endl; cout << "b = " << b << " &b = " << &b << endl;
Pitfalls } }
I/O Params of a
Function
a = 10 &a = 00DCFD18 a = 10 &a = 00A7F8FC
Recommended
Mechanisms
x = 10 &x = 00DCFD18 x = 10 &x = 00A7F8FC
b = 10 &b = 00DCFD00 // Reference to temporary b = 10 &b = 00A7F8FC // Reference to a
References vs.
Pointers

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

• Has a different address • Has the same address
Programming in Modern C++ Partha Pratim Das M07.15
 Program 07.07: Return-by-Reference can get tricky

Module M07 Return-by-reference Return-by-reference – Risky!

L
Partha Pratim #include <iostream> #include <iostream>
Das using namespace std; using namespace std;
int& Return_ref(int &x) { int& Return_ref(int &x) {

E
Objectives &
Outlines
int t = x;
t++;

T
Reference return (x); return (t);
Pitfalls
} }

P
Call-by-Reference int main() { int a = 10, b = Return_ref(a); int main() { int a = 10, b = Return_ref(a);
Swap in C cout << "a = " << a << " and b = " cout << "a = " << a << " and b = "
Swap in C++ << b << endl; << b << endl;

N
const Reference
Parameter
Return_ref(a) = 3; // Changes variable a Return_ref(a) = 3; // Changes local t
Return-by- cout << "a = " << a; cout << "a = " << a;
Reference
Pitfalls
} }
I/O Params of a
Function a = 10 and b = 10 a = 10 and b = 11
Recommended a=3 a = 10
Mechanisms

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

Programming in Modern C++ Partha Pratim Das M07.16

 I/O Parameters of a Function

Module M07

L
Partha Pratim
Das

E
Objectives &
Outlines

T
Reference
Pitfalls

P
Call-by-Reference
Swap in C
Swap in C++

N
const Reference
Parameter

Return-by-
Reference
Pitfalls

I/O Params of a
Function I/O Parameters of a Function
Recommended
Mechanisms

References vs.
Pointers

Module Summary

Programming in Modern C++ Partha Pratim Das M07.17

 I/O of a Function

Module M07

• In C++ we can change values with a function as follows:

L
Partha Pratim
Das

E
Objectives &
Outlines
I/O of Function Purpose Mechanism
Value Parameter Input Call-by-value

T
Reference
Pitfalls Reference Parameter In-Out Call-by-reference

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

N
const Reference
Parameter Return-by-reference
Return-by-
Reference
const Return-by-reference
Pitfalls

I/O Params of a
Function • In addition, we can use the Call-by-address (Call-by-value with pointer) and
Recommended Return-by-address (Return-by-value with pointer) as in C
Mechanisms

References vs. • But it is neither required nor advised

Pointers

Module Summary

Programming in Modern C++ Partha Pratim Das M07.18

 Recommended Mechanisms

Module M07

L
Partha Pratim
Das

E
Objectives &
Outlines

T
Reference
Pitfalls

P
Call-by-Reference
Swap in C
Swap in C++

N
const Reference
Parameter

Return-by-
Reference
Pitfalls

I/O Params of a
Function Recommended Mechanisms
Recommended
Mechanisms

References vs.
Pointers

Module Summary

Programming in Modern C++ Partha Pratim Das M07.19

 Recommended Mechanisms

Module M07

• Call

L
Partha Pratim
Das
◦ Pass parameters of built-in types by value

E
Objectives &
Outlines . Recall: Array parameters are passed by reference in C and C++

T
Reference
Pitfalls
◦ Pass parameters of user-defined types by reference
. Make a reference parameter const if it is not used for output

P
Call-by-Reference
Swap in C
Swap in C++ • Return

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

Module Summary

Programming in Modern C++ Partha Pratim Das M07.20

 Difference between Reference and Pointer

Module M07

L
Partha Pratim
Das

E
Objectives &
Outlines

T
Reference
Pitfalls

P
Call-by-Reference
Swap in C
Swap in C++

N
const Reference
Parameter

Return-by-
Reference
Pitfalls

I/O Params of a
Function Difference between Reference and Pointer
Recommended
Mechanisms

References vs.
Pointers

Module Summary

Programming in Modern C++ Partha Pratim Das M07.21

 Difference between Reference and Pointer

Module M07
Pointers References

L
Partha Pratim
Das • Refers to an address (exposed) • Refers to an address (hidden)
• Pointers can point to NULL • References cannot be NULL

E
Objectives &
Outlines

T
Reference int *p = NULL; // p is not pointing int &j ; // wrong
Pitfalls
• Pointers can point to different variables at • For a reference, its referent is fixed

P
Call-by-Reference
Swap in C different times
Swap in C++
int a, b, *p; int a, c, &b = a; // Okay

N
const Reference
Parameter p = &a; // p points to a ...
Return-by-
Reference
... &b = c // Error
Pitfalls p = &b; // p points to b
I/O Params of a
Function • NULL checking is required • Does not require NULL checking
Recommended
Mechanisms
• Makes code faster
References vs.
• Allows users to operate on the address • Does not allow users to operate on the address
Pointers • diff pointers, increment, etc. • All operations are interpreted for the referent
Module Summary • Array of pointers can be defined • Array of references not allowed
Programming in Modern C++ Partha Pratim Das M07.22
 Module Summary

Module M07

• Introduced reference in C++

L
Partha Pratim
Das
• Studied the difference between call-by-value and call-by-reference

E
Objectives &
Outlines • Studied the difference between return-by-value and return-by-reference

T
Reference
Pitfalls • Discussed the difference between References and Pointers

P
Call-by-Reference
Swap in C
Swap in C++

N
const Reference
Parameter

Return-by-
Reference
Pitfalls

I/O Params of a
Function

Recommended
Mechanisms

References vs.
Pointers

Module Summary

Programming in Modern C++ Partha Pratim Das M07.23