How do const references affect performance in C++?

How do const references affect performance in C++?

Const references in C++ allow you to pass large objects without copying them, improving performance.

Can you explain how this is different from passing by value?

When you pass by value, a copy of the object is made, which can be costly for large objects. Const references avoid this overhead.

Are there any downsides to using const references?

One downside is that you cannot modify the object through a const reference, which may not be suitable in all cases.

In what scenarios should I prefer const references over pointers?

Prefer const references when you want to ensure the object isn't modified and when you want to avoid the complexity of pointer syntax.