Reference argument

[skadush]

So ive been playing around reference. And there is something I dont understand is how to view its value

So i have this code for example

	int i = 70;
	Base b(i);
	std::cout << b.i << std::endl;

class Base
{
public:
	Base(int i);

	~Base();

	int& i;
};

What i get is

17109097

That is the address.. Whats going on? im supposed to return the value

[48T7M4Gy]

line 8 is int& might be it should be int :)

[skadush]

Okay this is really really confusing. I want to understand ref. Why cant I use it on int?

[48T7M4Gy]

#include <iostream>

class Base
{
public:
	Base(int anI = 0){ i = anI;}
	~Base(){};
	int i;
};

int main()
{
    int a = 70;
	Base b(a);
	
	std::cout << b.i << std::endl;
}

[skadush]

This makes a little sense whats the difference of me using default initializer

Base::Base(int i): wow(i) {
	this->wow = i;
}

.

public:
	Base(int i);

	~Base();

	int& wow;
};

They are the same. I initialized the base and why cant I use ref? Im really having a hard time deciding whether to use ref or just normal copy by value

[48T7M4Gy]

Don't split it up. Please put your stuff as a complete deal so that it can be run in the shell. Make it easy on yourself. :)

[Naughty Albatross]

int& wow;

You can't declare a variable (member) with a reference as a class member. If you insist on using it, consider using a pointer int* wow; instead.

[48T7M4Gy]

whats the difference of me using default initializer

It's not mandatory but can save a lot of messing around aside from being good practice.

[48T7M4Gy]

#include <iostream>

class Base
{
public:
	Base(int anI = 0){ p = &anI;}
	~Base(){};
	
	int* p;
};

int main()
{
    int a = 55;
	Base b(a);
	
	std::cout << *(b.p) << std::endl;
}

55
 
Exit code: 0 (normal program termination)

[skadush]

I see. i get it now..

You can't declare a variable (member) with a reference as a class member. If you insist on using it, consider using a pointer int* wow; instead.

Can you tell me why? Pointer is also like a reference. reference points to address so as pointer. So I dont understand the difference and whats the advantage of using one over the other..

Don't split it up. Please put your stuff as a complete deal so that it can be run in the shell. Make it easy on yourself. :)

Sorry. I was really trying to experiment. I have a project that requires me to use c++. And this language is giving me an insane amount of problem.

[48T7M4Gy]

#include <iostream>

class Base
{
public:
	Base(int* anI){ p = anI;}
	~Base(){};
	
	int* p;
};

int main()
{
    int a = 666;
	Base b(&a);
	
	std::cout << *(b.p) << std::endl;
}

666
 
Exit code: 0 (normal program termination)

[skadush]

Hi, Do you know why is it posible to use a pointer and not a reference? pointer is pointing to address same as the reference so why?

Could it be that pointer is an object? Im just guessing here..

[48T7M4Gy]

Hi, Do you know why is it possible to use a pointer and not a reference?

I know what you mean. The way I treat it is that iit is a sequential series of operations based on the primary rule that ptrX = &x and without starting ther you can't pass the pointer directly.

Don't be sorry about experimenting. It's the way to go with pointers etc. ( Be careful though you might get jumped on for not using smart pointers which are another thing altogether but very useful for other reasons. ) The key to experimenting with these is keep reminding yourself of the basics and what each notation means. Note I used * to de-reference the pointer. [ *(b.p) ], which means get the pointer attribute of the object call b, which is p and dereference it thus getting back the value at address (of) a (phew). :)