What is the difference between *&array and *array?

I'm trying to pass in an array into a function. But what is the difference between

Code:

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void function(int *array)
void function(int *&array)

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Code:

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void function(int *arrray)

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This passes a pointer to an array of integers. Usually reflects a numerical or character value...in this case numerical.

Code:

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void function(int *&array)

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This passes the address reserved in memory of the array.

so regardless of which i use, it is the same right?

Depends on how you use it. If you are wanting to use a specific element of the array in the function then you would use the int *array. Your best bet would be to try it both ways. If you get some odd value like 0xffff8763f then you are getting the address.

well, if you want to change where a pointer points, you will want to pass a reference to it...

Code:

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void myfunc(int *arr)
{
    arr = NULL;
}

int *arr = new int[5];
myfunc(arr);

arr still is valid, not null.

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Code:

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void myfunc(int *&arr)
{
    arr = NULL;
}

int arr = new int[5];
myfunc(arr);

arr is now NULL.

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Quote:

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so regardless of which i use, it is the same right?

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No, they're not quite the same. When you use arrays, the compiler reserves some amount of space, the beginning of which has the address &A[0](A being an array of course). When you pass an array into a function, your program passes not the array, but the beginning address of the array. The second example you'll use less often. When the need for modifying a pointer in function occurs you either pass in a pointer to a pointer or you pass a reference to a pointer. The syntax isn't that clear, so you might rewrite

Code:

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typedef Node* NodePtr;

void f(NodePtr& p)]
{
      p = 0;
}

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the first is passing by value. the second is passing by reference.
its the same as(but with pointers instead)....
void func (int); // by value
void func (int&); // by reference

Theres some more info about this in the FAQ. Look at the pointer tuts.

Initially I got confused by a book which states that array is always pass by reference. Now I understand what is going on. Thanks guys for your help!
rockytriton explanation is pretty good!