Question

Why references are different from pointers?

(a) A reference cannot be made null

(b) A reference cannot be changed once initialized

(c) No extra operator is needed for dereferencing of a reference

(d) All of the mentioned

This question was addressed to me during a job interview.

My doubt stems from OOPs Concept topic in division Basics Concepts of C++ of C++

Answer 1

The correct answer is (d) All of the mentioned

Easiest explanation - References cannot be made null whereas a pointer can be. References cannot be changed whereas pointers can be modified.

 Pointers need * operator to dereference the value present inside it whereas reference does not need an operator for dereferencing.