what is the difference between int& and int

[starbucks]

hello,

In some code i see some definitions like that "int& a" and I wonder what is the difference with "int a".

By the way, is it different between "char* c" and "char *c "

Thank you very much and best regards,
starbucks

[AdrianH]

hello,

In some code i see some definitions like that "int& a" and I wonder what is the difference with "int a".

By the way, is it different between "char* c" and "char *c "

Thank you very much and best regards,
starbucks

:smirk: Newbies. LOL, JK.

Seriously, your question is one that some people have difficulties with. C/C++ don't care about whitespaces and even less about whitespaces or lack thereof between punctuation and words/punctuation.

char* c

is equivalent to

char *c

is equivalent to

char*c

is equivalent to

char
 
*
 
 
c

As for int& a, that is a declaration of a reference to an int. It is required to be initialised to something, unlike a int * which you don't have to initialise (though you probably should). Think of it like borrowing an int, or aliasing an int. Take this for example:

int a = 5;
int & refA = a;
refA = 6;
printf("a == %d, refA == %d\n", a, refA);
printf("%p == %p", &a, &refA);
 

You can reference any type, be it a base type or user defined type.

Hope this helps. Oh, and the only stupid question is the unasked one. Don't feel bad, I'm just in a weird mood. ;)


Adrian

[Savage]

Oh, and the only stupid question is the unasked one. Don't feel bad, I'm just in a weird mood. ;)


Adrian

Adrian, u realy should get off from that crack.

:)

Savage

[AdrianH]

Adrian, u realy should get off from that crack.

:)

Savage

Then stop supplying it. :p


Adrian

[starbucks]

yes, I don't mind. Thank you for your help

-- starbucks

[AdrianH]

yes, I don't mind. Thank you for your help

-- starbucks

No prob. Come on back now, hear?


Adrian

[Savage]

Then stop supplying it. :p


Adrian

Adrian,u are a genius.

If we make Mary depand on our cracks,then she will need to cure herself and
rehabilitate,so she won't be able to post anymore.

Muhahahahahaha,muahhahaha

<cough>

hahahha

Savage

[JosAH]

Seriously, your question is one that some people have difficulties with. C/C++ don't care about whitespaces and even less about whitespaces or lack thereof between punctuation and words/punctuation.

Try a class template using a class template as its type parameter; you'll end up
with two '>' characters; you bet you have to put a space between them if you
don't want to upset your compiler ;-)

kind regards,

Jos

[AdrianH]

Try a class template using a class template as its type parameter; you'll end up
with two '>' characters; you bet you have to put a space between them if you
don't want to upset your compiler ;-)

kind regards,

Jos

That is an exception. In the new draft of the standard, this problem is to be eliminated.


Adrian