What are const references in C++?

What are const references in C++?

Const references in C++ are references that cannot be used to modify the object they refer to. They provide a way to pass large objects without copying them, while ensuring that the original object remains unchanged.

Can you give me an example of using const references?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

void printValue(const int &value) {
    std::cout << value << std::endl;
}

int main() {
    int x = 10;
    printValue(x); // x cannot be modified inside printValue
}

What are the benefits of using const references?

The benefits include avoiding unnecessary copies of large objects, improving performance, and ensuring that the function does not modify the input data.

Are there any limitations to using const references?

Yes, const references cannot be used to modify the object they refer to, and they cannot bind to temporary objects if the type is not a const type.