Explain call by reference, C/C++ Programming

Assignment Help:

Call by Reference

Passing variables(parameters) to a function in C can be done in two ways - pass by value, also called as call by value and pass by address or also known as call by address. C++ though , gives one more way to call a function - call by reference. In call by value , a copy of the actual contents of the variables is passed to the function. In this case, alters made to the formal variable , as they are called, are not reflected back in the calling function. Passing an address permits changes to be made directly to the memory, which are occupied by the actual variable.

Though, a call by address requires the formal variable to be considered as pointer and therefore the indirection operator has to be used with them. A reference on the other hand, is another name, for a previously explained variable. In other words, after a reference is explained for a particular variable, using its original name as well as the reference can refer to the variable. Hence, a reference is nothing but an alias.

 Thus not passing a copy (call by value) saves time and is efficient. It does not have to make a temporary variable /. And not passing the address(call by address), eliminates the use of pointers in the called functions. But, at the same time, the changes made to a formal variable , using its reference or alias can be reflected back in the calling function.

 


Related Discussions:- Explain call by reference

Program is to read the characters from keyboard, Program is to read the cha...

Program is to read the characters from keyboard: Program is to read the characters from keyboard one by one stored in different files as upper constants, lower constants, othe

201 it, overload assignment opertor to assign the data of one object to ant...

overload assignment opertor to assign the data of one object to anthor

Lcm code, full coding for lcm in c++

full coding for lcm in c++

Cipher: Decrypt and Encrypt, You must write a program that can both decrypt...

You must write a program that can both decrypt and encrypt a single word that is entered by the user. The initial choice of encryption and decryption is left up to the user. Addi

Smuggler, smugglers are becoming very smart day by day. Now they have devel...

smugglers are becoming very smart day by day. Now they have developed a new technique of sending their messages from one smuggler to another. In their new technology, they are send

C++ ASSIGNMENT, How much does it cost to complete a C++ assignment that is ...

How much does it cost to complete a C++ assignment that is 80% finished??

Area under curve, progarm in c for area under curve   #include ...

progarm in c for area under curve   #include float start_point, /* GLOBAL VARIABLES */ end_point, total_area; int numtraps;

Explain register variable, Explain Register Variable Computers have int...

Explain Register Variable Computers have internal registers, which are used to keep data temporarily, before any operation can be performed. Intermediate results of the calcula

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd