Thread: Parameters of the type pointers vs Parameters of the type reference

Hi, can anyone explain me when should i use pointers and when i should use reference ?

Code:

void exchange(int * pa, int * pb) {
    int temp = *pa;
    *pa = *pb;
    *pb = temp;
    cout << "\n em troca ( int * pa, int * pb), depois da troca *pa = "
            << *pa << " *pb = " << *pb << endl;
}


void exchange(int &a, int &b) {
    int temp = a;
    a = b;
    b = temp;
    cout << "\n em troca ( int &a, int &b), depois da troca a = "
            << a << " b = " << b << endl;
}


int main(int argc, char** argv) {
    int x = 2, y = 4;
    cout << "\n\n em main(), antes de troca(x,y) x= " << x << " y = " << y << endl;
    exchange(x, y);
    cout << "\n em main(), depois de troca(x,y) x= " << x << " y = " << y << endl;


    x = 2;
    y = 4;
    cout << "\n\n em main(), antes de troca(&x,&y) x= " << x << " y = " << y << endl;
    exchange(&x, &y);
    cout << "\n em main(), depois de troca(&x,&y) x= " << x << " y = " << y << endl;
    return 0;
}

Prefer references where you can, otherwise use pointers. References cannot be re-bound to another memory location for instance.

Thanks you both for your answers

I found this video that i find useful too.

YouTube