Parameter passing in C++

Call by value
- Copy actual parameters and bind to formal parameters
  - Formal parameters are initialized - not assigned
  - For user-defined types: It is possible to control what copying means - via a copy constructor
  - In the copy constructor itself, call-by-C++-reference parameter passing is crucial
    - Details in a forthcoming lecture
- In the special case: Passing pointers by value (C-style call-by-reference)
Call by (C++) reference
- The formal parameter becomes an alias of the actual parameter
  - If non-const, you intend to change the value of the actual parameter
- Call by const reference is an attractive alternative to call by value parameters
  - No overhead due to copying
  - No risk of modifying the actual parameter via the formal parameter