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Can you return a reference in C?
Functions in C++ can return a reference as it’s returns a pointer. When function returns a reference it means it returns a implicit pointer.
What does it mean when a reference is returned?
It means you return by reference, which is, at least in this case, probably not desired. It basically means the returned value is an alias to whatever you returned from the function. Unless it’s a persistent object it’s illegal.
Is C return by value or reference?
By default, everything in C/C++ is passed by value, including return type, as in the example below: T foo() ; In C++, where the types are usually considered value-types (i.e. they behave like int or double types), the extra copy can be costly if the object’s construction/destruction is not trivial.
When should you return references?
When to use return by reference: When returning a reference parameter. When returning a member of an object that was passed into the function by reference or address. When returning a large struct or class that will not be destroyed at the end of the function (e.g. one that was passed in by reference)
How do you return an object reference in C++?
If you create an object in your function, use pointers. If you want to modify an existing object, pass it as an argument. You can only return non-local objects by reference. The destructor may have invalidated some internal pointer, or whatever.
What does return in C++ mean?
return Statement (C++) Terminates the execution of a function and returns control to the calling function (or to the operating system if you transfer control from the main function). Execution resumes in the calling function at the point immediately following the call.
Should I return by reference C++?
A C++ function can return a reference in a similar way as it returns a pointer. When returning a reference, be careful that the object being referred to does not go out of scope. So it is not legal to return a reference to local var. But you can always return a reference on a static variable.