Function Arguments in C++
Function Arguments in C++
If a function take any arguments, it must declare variables that accept the values as a arguments. These variables are called the formal parameters of the function. There are two ways to pass value or data to function in C++ language which is given below;
- call by value
- call by reference
Call by value
In call by value, original value can not be changed or modified. In call by value, when you passed value to the function it is locally stored by the function parameter in stack memory location. If you change the value of function parameter, it is changed for the current function only but it not change the value of variable inside the caller function such as main().
Program Call by value in C++
#include<iostream.h> #include<conio.h> void swap(int a, int b) { int temp; temp=a; a=b; b=temp; } void main() { int a=100, b=200; clrscr(); swap(a, b); // passing value to function cout<<"Value of a"<<a; cout<<"Value of b"<<b; getch(); }
Output
Value of a: 200 Value of b: 100
Call by reference
In call by reference, original value is changed or modified because we pass reference (address). Here, address of the value is passed in the function, so actual and formal arguments shares the same address space. Hence, any value changed inside the function, is reflected inside as well as outside the function.
Example Call by Reference in C++
#include<iostream.h> #include<conio.h> void swap(int *a, int *b) { int temp; temp=*a; *a=*b; *b=temp; } void main() { int a=100, b=200; clrscr(); swap(&a, &b); // passing value to function cout<<"Value of a"<<a; cout<<"Value of b"<<b; getch(); }
Output
Value of a: 200 Value of b: 100
Difference Between Call by Value and Call by Reference.
call by Value | call by Reference |
---|---|
This method copy original value into function as a arguments. | This method copy address of arguments into function as a arguments. |
Changes made to the parameter inside the function have no effect on the argument. | Changes made to the parameter affect the argument. Because address is used to access the actual argument. |
Actual and formal arguments will be created in different memory location | Actual and formal arguments will be created in same memory location |
Note: By default, C++ uses call by value to pass arguments.