C++ Return by Reference

C++ Return by Reference

In this article, you’ll learn how to return a value by reference in a function and use it proficiently in your program.

In C++ Programming, not exclusively would you be able to pass values by reference to a function yet you can likewise return a value by reference.

To understand this feature, you should have the knowledge of:

Global variables

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Example: Return by Reference

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

// Global variable
int num;

// Function declaration
int& test();

int main()
{
    test() = 5;

    cout << num;

    return 0;
}

int& test()
{
    return num;
}

Output

5

In program above, the return type of function test() is int&. Hence, this function returns a reference of the variable num.

The return statement is to return num; In contrast, to return by esteem, this announcement doesn’t restore estimation of num, rather it restores the variable itself (address).

So, when the variable is returned, it tends to be accessed a value as done in the test() = 5;

This stores 5 to the variable num, which is shown onto the screen.

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Important Things to Remember When Returning by Reference.

Ordinary function returns value but this function doesn’t. Hence, you cannot return a constant from the function.

int& test() {
    return 2;
}

You cannot return a local variable from this function.

int& test()
{
    int n = 2; 
    return n; 
}

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Please feel free to give your comment if you face any difficulty here.

C++ Functions