What is a constant reference (not a reference to a constant)
A Constant Reference is actually a Reference to a Constant.
A constant reference/ Reference to a constant is denoted by:
int const &i = j; //or Alternatively
const int &i = j;
i = 1; //Compilation Error
It basically means, you cannot modify the value of type object to which the Reference Refers.
For Example:
Trying to modify value(assign 1
) of variable j
through const reference, i
will results in error:
assignment of read-only reference āiā
icr=y; // Can change the object it is pointing to so it's not like a const pointer...
icr=99;
Doesn't change the reference, it assigns the value of the type to which the reference refers. References cannot be made to refer any other variable than the one they are bound to at Initialization.
First statement assigns the value y
to i
Second statement assigns the value 99
to i