Reference in C++

#include <iostream>

void incrementByReference(int& ref) {

    ref++;  // Directly increments the original variable

}

int main() {

    int value = 20;

    int& rValue = value;  // Declare a reference bound to 'value'

   

    std::cout << "Before: " << value << "\n";  // Prints 20

   

    incrementByReference(rValue);

   

    std::cout << "After:  " << value << "\n";  // Prints 21

   

    // References must be initialized and cannot be reseated

   

    return 0;

}

References in C++ act as true aliases for existing objects.

Once you bind a reference to an object, any operation through that reference directly

affects the original. There’s no extra indirection or separate storage - think of the

reference as a permanent nickname for the object.

Ideal for function parameters when you want to modify the caller’s variable.

value is the caller’s variable (actual parameter) in the main() function.

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