void call byref (int *x, int *y) why is a pointer used here code example

Example 1: calling by reference and pointers c++

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

// Function prototype
void swap(int&, int&);

int main()
{
    int a = 1, b = 2;
    cout << "Before swapping" << endl;
    cout << "a = " << a << endl;
    cout << "b = " << b << endl;

    swap(a, b);

    cout << "\nAfter swapping" << endl;
    cout << "a = " << a << endl;
    cout << "b = " << b << endl;

    return 0;
}

void swap(int& n1, int& n2) {
    int temp;
    temp = n1;
    n1 = n2;
    n2 = temp;
}

Example 2: calling by reference and pointers c++

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

// Function prototype
void swap(int*, int*);

int main()
{
    int a = 1, b = 2;
    cout << "Before swapping" << endl;
    cout << "a = " << a << endl;
    cout << "b = " << b << endl;

    swap(&a, &b);

    cout << "\nAfter swapping" << endl;
    cout << "a = " << a << endl;
    cout << "b = " << b << endl;
    return 0;
}

void swap(int* n1, int* n2) {
    int temp;
    temp = *n1;
    *n1 = *n2;
    *n2 = temp;
}