Pass by Reference

Definitions

1. A parameter-passing convention in which a function receives a reference (pointer or alias) to the caller's original variable, so modifications inside the function directly affect the original value. C++ supports this explicitly with & references.

   In plain English: Giving a function direct access to the original variable, so any changes the function makes are reflected outside the function too.

   Example: "That function takes the vector by reference, so it sorts the original in place instead of returning a sorted copy."

Related Terms

• garbage collector
• Lambda Function
• Linked List
• Parameter Passing
• Pass by Value
• Random Access
• Reference
• ROM
• Shallow Copy
• Composable Function