When should I use references, and when should I use pointers?, C++ FAQ

C++ FAQ

From Marshall Cline: Bjarne Stroustrup, Herb Sutter, Andrei Alexandrescu, Pearson / Addison-Wesley Publishers and I collaborated to create a new C++ Super-FAQ! It's a team effort, with huge contributions from each of us and with amazing support from dozens of brilliant editors. The result is "awesomer" than ever! I originally wrote/published the FAQ in 1991 and now look forward to this new phase - and to continue working with it for another 20 years!

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FAQ: When should I use references, and when should I use pointers? ←(in the new Super-FAQ)

It's in Section: References:

FAQ: What is a reference?
FAQ: What happens if you assign to a reference?
FAQ: What happens if you return a reference?
FAQ: What does object.method1().method2() mean?
FAQ: How can you reseat a reference to make it refer to a different object?
FAQ: When should I use references, and when should I use pointers? (this FAQ)
FAQ: What does it mean that a reference must refer to an object, not a dereferenced NULL pointer?
FAQ: What is a handle to an object? Is it a pointer? Is it a reference? Is it a pointer-to-a-pointer? What is it?