Difference between Pointer variable and Reference variable.
Difference
between Pointer variable and Reference variable.
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Pointer Variable
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Reference Variable
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1. It is a special variable which can store
the address of another variable
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It
is a duplicate name (alias) given to any variable.
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2. Here the Pointer variable will be
created
in the memory and then it can be
assigned any address.
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No
extra space is required. Only a duplicate name is assigned to the same memory
area.
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3. Using
* or de-referencing operator
along with the pointer variable the
value inside the address can be
accessed
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By
simply using an = or assignment operator with the
reference variable the value can be changed
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4. Used while implementing Call By
Address
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Used
while implementing Call By Reference
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5. Common Syntax :-
Declaration :-
Data type *Pointer variable name ;
Acquiring address :-
Pointer variable = & variable name
;
Here the address of the ‘ variable ‘
would
be stored get stored in the ‘ pointer
variable ‘.
Manipulating data :-
*Pointer variable = value;
here the ‘ value ‘ would be assigned
to
the
‘ variable name ‘.
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Common
Syntax :-
Declaration :-
Data
type & reference = variable ;
Here
the LHS ‘ reference ‘ name given would become the duplicate name for the
‘
variable ‘ in the RHS
Manipulating data :-
reference
= value ;
here
the ‘ value ‘ would be assigned to the ‘ variable ‘, which would be reflected in both the
reference as well as the original
‘ variable’.
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6. Example:-
int a = 10 ;
int *p ;
cout<< a ; // it would show 10
p = &a;
*p = 20;
cout<< a ; // it would show 20
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Example
:-
int
a = 10;
int
&b = a;
cout
<< a << b ; // It would show 10
10
b=20;
cout
<< a << b ; // It would show 20
20
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