Does Kotlin allow for `optionally` passing by reference like the & in php?

Question

In PHP you can optionally make parameters pass by reference with an & in the function definition:

someFunction($byValue, &$byReference) {
    // $byValue is passed in by value
    // $byReference is passed in by reference due to the preceding &
}

Is this possible in Kotlin? If not, does anyone know if it's planned?

Does this answer your question? [Is Kotlin "pass-by-value" or "pass-by-reference"?](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/44515031/is-kotlin-pass-by-value-or-pass-by-reference) — Quinn, Jan 03 '20 at 19:15
@Quinn yes the answer to my question can be derived from the question you linked though I don't see it as a direct duplicate as stated in the comment on your own answer. — wheelmaker, Jan 03 '20 at 21:25
@wheelmaker Yes you're right, it is not a direct duplicate, just a similar question. Sorry for my phrasing — Quinn, Jan 03 '20 at 21:28

score 1 · Accepted Answer · edited Jan 03 '20 at 21:21

1

I believe that similar to Java, Kotlin is always pass-by-value and optional pass-by-reference is not possible.

edited Jan 03 '20 at 21:21

wheelmaker

answered Jan 03 '20 at 19:13

Quinn

Do you believe that or do you have any sources or even some code providing an example about this? – Nico Haase Jan 03 '20 at 21:19
@NicoHaase see the duplicate question i linked in the comments – Quinn Jan 03 '20 at 21:20

1 Answers1