passing variables by reference c++ code example

Example 1: passing reference in c++

// C++ program to demonstrate differences between pointer 
// and reference. 
#include <iostream> 
using namespace std; 
  
struct demo 
{ 
    int a; 
}; 
  
int main() 
{ 
    int x = 5; 
    int y = 6; 
    demo d; 
      
    int *p; 
    p =  &x; 
    p = &y;                     // 1. Pointer reintialization allowed 
    int &r = x; 
    // &r = y;                  // 1. Compile Error 
    r = y;                      // 1. x value becomes 6 
      
    p = NULL;            
    // &r = NULL;               // 2. Compile Error 
      
    p++;                        // 3. Points to next memory location 
    r++;                        // 3. x values becomes 7 
      
    cout << &p << " " << &x << endl;    // 4. Different address 
    cout << &r << " " << &x << endl;    // 4. Same address 
      
    demo *q = &d; 
    demo &qq = d; 
      
    q->a = 8; 
    // q.a = 8;                 // 5. Compile Error  
    qq.a = 8; 
    // qq->a = 8;               // 5. Compile Error 
      
    cout << p << endl;        // 6. Prints the address 
    cout << r << endl;        // 6. Print the value of x     
  
    return 0; 
}

Example 2: pass by value and pass by reference c++

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

void by_value(int x) {
  x *= 2;
}

void by_reference(int &x) {
  x *= 2;
}

int main() {
  int a1 = 5, a2 = 5;

  cout << "Before: a1 = " << a1 << ", a2 = " << a2 << "\n";
  
  by_value(a1);
  by_reference(a2);

  cout << "After: a1 = " << a1 << ", a2 = " << a2 << "\n";

  return 0;
}