CODEWITHSUNDEEP
c++pointersreference
lorencio
lorencio

Reputation: 35

Pass pointer by value where it is supposed to be passed by reference

I am learning C++

I have a function:

void remove_node(node *&rem);

As I understood, rem is a node*, which is passed by reference. I do need it to be passed by reference, because I change the pointer.

But sometimes I need to pass it by value (recursive call). I did it like this:

node *noref = rem->left;
remove_node(noref);

instead of

remove_node(rem->left);

Is there better way to do it?

Thanks.

Upvotes: 1

Views: 47

Answers (1)

Skymomo175
Skymomo175

Reputation: 26

What do you wish to do with your nodes ? What are the attributs & methods of the class ?

Usually when using nodes, you just change the links between the nodes, and not the nodes themselves (ex : double-linked list).

struct node {
    node* right;
    node* left;
};
typedef struct node node;

void remove_node(node* n) {
    l_node = n->left;
    r_node = n->right;
    l_node->right = r_node;
    r_node->left = l_node;
    free(n);
}

that would be the C code, to pass it to C++ just use the accessors and the destructor :)

Upvotes: 1

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