Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!know!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!ncar!dinl!noren
From: noren@dinl.uucp (Charles Noren)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.c++
Subject: Why use reference type over pointer type?
Message-ID: <1676@dinl.mmc.UUCP>
Date: 31 Jul 90 18:33:16 GMT
Reply-To: noren@dinl.UUCP (Charles Noren)
Organization: Martin Marietta I&CS, Denver CO.
Lines: 21

Its obvious, I'm new to C++.
What does does a reference type give me over a pointer type
that I've come to love and know well in C?  It seems like the 
reference type is a syntatic cosmetic convenience to avoid the 
"->" operator inside functions.  Oh yes, there is also the
ability to alias references that the reference type provides.
My feeble mind, however, dulled by years of C programming and using
#define's (not to mention warped from poignant-pointed pointer 
use), fails to grasp the cosmic significance of the reference
type.  Perhaps some kind person, taking pity on my lowly
understanding of C++, could enlighten me in reference to
reference types.

Thanks,

-- 
Chuck Noren
NET:     dinl!noren@ncar.ucar.edu
US-MAIL: Martin Marietta I&CS, MS XL8058, P.O. Box 1260,
         Denver, CO 80201-1260
Phone:   (303) 971-7930