What is the difference between references and pointers in programming?

What is the difference between references and pointers in programming?

References and pointers are both used to refer to memory locations, but they have key differences. A pointer can be reassigned and can point to null, while a reference cannot be null and must be initialized when declared.

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

Sure! In C++, a pointer is declared like this: int* ptr = nullptr; and you can assign it to an address later. A reference is declared like this: int& ref = variable; and it must be initialized with an existing variable.

Are there any advantages to using references over pointers?

Yes, references are generally safer and easier to use since they cannot be null and do not require dereferencing. They also provide better readability.

When should I use pointers instead of references?

You should use pointers when you need to manage dynamic memory, or when you need to point to an array or when you want to allow null values.