A way to get past "array of references" error

[earlz]

ok, so I had started coding, and had all these tedious values for making an array of references so that rather than go *reg16[1], I could just go reg16[1] and prevent lots of typos and errors, and also make it look nicer....well, after about 10 minutes of programming it all in, and writing some test code, I go to compile and get a nice clear error: "Error: array of references"

why the crap can I not have an array of references, I can make a frikkin array of const pointers but I can't do it with references? wtf!?

[JamesM]

I've got to say the only time I have ever used references is when I'm forced to when doing operator overloading.

Stick to the pointers I say!

[earlz]

Well, I usually like to stick to pointers, but with this, the pointers don't change or anything, and I'd like to treat it like just an array, but I think making a class and operator[] for it is a bit overkill and could be slower due to function calls, so I just wanted to do the references thing...

[Alboin]

why the crap can I not have an array of references, I can make a frikkin array of const pointers but I can't do it with references? wtf!?

References aren't pointers. A pointer is the actual numerical identity of an element in memory; basically an integer. A reference, on the other hand, is the actual variable, that is, the variable itself is passed by the compiler instead of the value held within.

I believe that's what it is, at least, I think I do. (I'm not 100% sure.)

[Candy]

I've got to say the only time I have ever used references is when I'm forced to when doing operator overloading.

Stick to the pointers I say!

Stop using ancient pointers and use references whenever possible.

If you need some pointers on references, click here

[earlz]

wow...someone else that reads xkcd...(I've done that in real life, btw...lol)

[Alboin]

wow...someone else that reads xkcd...(I've done that in real life, btw...lol)

I'm a more User Friendly sort of guy. Maybe I'll add it to me list though. It seems pretty funny.

[Solar]

Well actually I wouldn't even argue about pointers vs. references, but strongly suggest to use <vector> instead of fiddling with arrays...

[JamesM]

I've got to say the only time I have ever used references is when I'm forced to when doing operator overloading.

Stick to the pointers I say!

Stop using ancient pointers and use references whenever possible.

If you need some pointers on references, click here

You posted the same xkcd link twice. Did you mean to do that?

[Brynet-Inc]

You posted the same xkcd link twice. Did you mean to do that?

I think he was trying to be funny, Which as we all know... doesn't come naturally with him

j/k!

[Candy]

I've got to say the only time I have ever used references is when I'm forced to when doing operator overloading.

Stick to the pointers I say!

Stop using ancient pointers and use references whenever possible.

If you need some pointers on references, click here

You posted the same xkcd link twice. Did you mean to do that?

I wasn't sure the first link would be noticed at all.

[earlz]

good judgment...I figured the pointers like was just some kinda simple explanation of pointers...

[Craze Frog]

why the crap can I not have an array of references, I can make a frikkin array of const pointers but I can't do it with references? wtf!?

References aren't pointers. A pointer is the actual numerical identity of an element in memory; basically an integer. A reference, on the other hand, is the actual variable, that is, the variable itself is passed by the compiler instead of the value held within.

I believe that's what it is, at least, I think I do. (I'm not 100% sure.)

References are a special kind of pointers made because the normal pointer system is so unsafe. On the other hand, references are too restrictive...
This can be seen by looking at the generated asm code for these functions:

Code: Select all

int CallByRef(int &ref) {
    return ref;
}

int CallByValue(int *ref) {
    return *ref;
}

The generated code is exactly the same.