Thread: Variables | Pointers in arguments really needed?

Originally Posted by medievalelks

I don't disagree with either reply, just hoping that the OP realizes the importance of profiling to find real bottlenecks, and that they're usually tied to the design, algorithms, etc.

And with that, I fully agree too.

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Mats

Originally Posted by bobbelPoP

Code:

      class Database {
 public:
 std::string Query;
 void SendQuery(std::string,&Database); // Would this be faster?
 //Reminds me of like a wildcard variable/pointer/reference thing

 // or

 void SendQuery( std::string Query, Database& db ); // or would this be faster?

}

there is no reason that a class database should require a reference to an instance of database to execute a query.

if you need to execute a query on an external database, just execute the query off that instance. inside the query implementation it should always refer to this

Originally Posted by bobbelPoP

I'm not new at programming, I'm new at C/C++. I have past experience with java and php. :P

In this context, you are a new C++ programmer, and it still means that understanding when and where to use const reference to avoid copying is a good thing to learn NOW, rather than later.

Note that objects that are less than or equal to twice the size of a pointer should be passed as copies (so no const reference there), as there would be no benefit to pass a pointer (reference) to those objects.

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Mats

I would say they're all far from your current skill. All complex programs.
Although that doesn't mean you can't achieve something in the future.

Originally Posted by bobbelPoP

a game ( 2d shooter ),

This is probably doable.

a web browser,

That's a HUGE task if you want to do all that a normal browser does with JavaScript and other extensions.

and an os ( far from my league atm )

On some levels this is probably easier than a web-browser, because you need a lot less of your own OS to actually do something useful - but if you are after something that can read disks, talk to the internet and display 3D graphics [using a modern graphics card], you are in for a big task f'sure.

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Mats