What are the best practices for using const references in C++?

What are the best practices for using const references in C++?

Using const references in C++ is a great way to avoid unnecessary copies of large objects. It allows you to pass objects efficiently while ensuring they are not modified.

Can you give me an example of when to use const references?

Sure! If you have a function that takes a large object, like a vector or a class instance, you should pass it as a const reference to avoid copying it. For example:

void processData(const std::vector<int>& data) {
    // process data without modifying it
}

Are there any situations where I shouldn't use const references?

Yes, if you need to modify the object within the function, you should pass it by non-const reference or by value, depending on the context.

What about using const references with built-in types?

For built-in types like int or char, using const references is generally unnecessary since they are small and passing by value is more efficient.