Pointers vs References in C++

Pointers

Pointers are used to store the address of variable.

Syntax

Type *pointer;

Initialization

Type *pointer;
pointer = variable name;

References

When a variable is declared as reference, it becomes an alternative name for an existing variable.

Syntax

Type &newname = existing name;

Initialization

Type &pointer;
pointer = variable name;

The main differences between pointers and references are -

• References are used to refer an existing variable in another name whereas pointers are used to store address of variable.

• References cannot have a null value assigned but pointer can.

• A reference variable can be referenced by pass by value whereas a pointer can be referenced but pass by reference.

• A reference must be initialized on declaration while it is not necessary in case of pointer.

• A reference shares the same memory address with the original variable but also takes up some space on the stack whereas a pointer has its own memory address and size on the stack.