C++ Function arguments validation (pointer vs. reference arguments)

Question

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When pass-by-pointer is preferred to pass-by-reference in C++?

Hello everyone,

What do you consider a better programming practice: passing objects as pointers or references to functions.
What do you do for input validation?

Thanks.

See http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2550377/when-pass-by-pointer-is-preferred-to-pass-by-reference-in-c/2550489#2550489 — Stephen, Apr 18 '10 at 03:26

score 4 · Answer 1 · answered Apr 18 '10 at 03:36

It is better C++ style to use a reference. One advantage to this, as I believe you were implying, is that when passing by reference, you no longer need to verify that it is non-null, since references cannot be null. Also, I should add that if you are not modifying the parameter, then you should pass by constant reference. (For primitives or small non-polymorphic objects, you can also pass by value if you aren't modifying it).

score 2 · Answer 2 · edited Apr 14 '14 at 14:37

2

Probably go with references, because they're cleaner. With pointers, you have a very awkward syntax.

As for validation, I would just do an ASSERT.

edited Apr 14 '14 at 14:37

nbanic

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answered Apr 18 '10 at 03:39

Nathan Osman

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Do you mean debug assertions or something like boost static assertions? – Andrew Apr 18 '10 at 03:45

C++ Function arguments validation (pointer vs. reference arguments)

2 Answers2