Should I use pointer or reference C++?

C++ references should be favored over pointers whenever possible; while a reference is “really” just a pointer, it has the implicit contract of being not-NULL. Perform NULL checks when pointers are turned into references, then you can ignore the issue thereafter.

When should we use pointer in C++?

Pointers are usually used for the access to heap while the objects are located in stack – this is a simpler and quicker structure. If you are a beginner, we have for you some material in which we tell in detail what is a stack and a heap. Strictly speaking, this question combines two different issues.

Why would you use a reference C++?

Both references and pointers can be used to change local variables of one function inside another function. Both of them can also be used to save copying of big objects when passed as arguments to functions or returned from functions, to get efficiency gain.

Why would you use a pointer instead of a reference?

If you want the function to be able to change the value of the variable being passed in, you have to use a reference (pointer). If you don’t, it makes a copy for the function, and changing the parameter does not change the value of the original variable you passed in.

Why do we use reference variable?

A reference variable is a variable that points to an object of a given class, letting you access the value of an object. For example, you can retrieve a row from a database table and assign all values from the row to a single object and then pass the object to a called procedure.

Why use a reference over a pointer?

References are usually preferred over pointers whenever you don’t need “reseating”. This usually means that references are most useful in a class’s public interface. References typically appear on the skin of an object, and pointers on the inside.

When would you use a pointer?

Uses of pointers:

1. To pass arguments by reference.
2. For accessing array elements.
3. To return multiple values.
4. Dynamic memory allocation.
5. To implement data structures.
6. To do system level programming where memory addresses are useful.