Thread: Passing by reference/using pointers

I've just started C++ and am trying to get to grips with pointers, consider the following 2 programs:

Code:

void change(int &i)
{
     i = 5;
}
     
int main()
{
    int i = 0;
    change(i);
    printf("%d\n",i);
}

Code:

void change(int *i)
{
     *i = 5;
}
     
int main()
{
    int i = 0;
    change(&i);
    printf("%d\n",i);
}

The first one passes the reference of i, and the second passes up a pointer to i(correct me if I'm wrong)

What is the difference between the two methods of passing variables? As far as I can see, both edit the value of i directly. Why are pointers more useful?

Thanks