What is the difference between a reference and a pointer in C++?

What is the difference between a reference and a pointer in C++?

In C++, a pointer is a variable that holds the memory address of another variable, while a reference is an alias for an existing variable.

Can you give me an example of how to use both?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

int main() {
    int a = 10;
    int* ptr = &a; // pointer to a
    int& ref = a;  // reference to a
    
    *ptr = 20; // changes a to 20
    ref = 30;  // changes a to 30
}

In this code, both the pointer and the reference can modify the value of 'a'.

Are there any advantages to using references over pointers?

Yes, references are generally safer and easier to use. They cannot be null and must be initialized when declared, which helps prevent errors.

When should I use pointers instead of references?

You should use pointers when you need to allocate memory dynamically, or when you need to represent 'no value' with a null pointer.