Pass-by-Reference vs. Pass-by-Value: When Should I Use Each?

Understanding Pass-by-Reference and Pass-by-Value: When to Use Which

Determining whether to employ pass-by-reference or pass-by-value in programming is crucial for efficient code execution. Here are the key scenarios where each approach should be preferred:

Pass-by-Reference

1. Modifying Arguments:
If a function requires altering its input arguments, utilize pass-by-reference. This ensures that changes made within the function are reflected in the caller's variables.

2. Handling Large Objects:
For large objects passed as function parameters, opt for pass-by-reference with a const qualifier. This circumvents unnecessary copying and improves efficiency.

3. Copy/Move Constructor:
Copy or move constructors, which accept arguments in reference form, necessitate pass-by-reference.

4. Polymorphism:
When a function operates on polymorphic classes, use pass-by-reference to prevent object slicing, which occurs when a derived class object is silently truncated to the base class.

Pass-by-Value**

In all other cases, pass-by-value is suitable. This approach creates a local copy of the argument within the function, preserving the integrity of the original variable.

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