Difference between macro and pass by reference?

[converge]

Like the title says, what is the difference between using a macro, which just textually substitutes whatever, as opposed to just writing a function with reference parameters? I know there must be a difference, or else there would be no need for macros. Can someone please help me to understand the difference, possibly with an example? TIA.

[kooma]

Macros shouldn't be used as functions - it's a C-style to make something inline. It's a bit harder to debug and off use due the inlines in C++.

Macro
#define foo(x) x+  // see the error
...
int main()
{
   int y;
   foo(y);  // This is the line you get the error
   char s[] = "Hello world";
   foo(s);  // Want to know what happens?
   ...


inline
inline void foo(const int &x)
{
  x+;  //  Now you'll get the error here
}

int main()
{
   int x;
   foo(x);
   char s[] ="dlrow olleH";
   foo(s);  //  And another one here
   ...

[Fordy]

Inline functions also enforce type safety.........

Also #defines may never actually reach the compiler as they are converted by the preprocessor beofre compilation.....I have read of occasions where this can give problems debugging....