Passing arguments by reference and address [duplicate]

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How to pass objects to functions in C++?

When should I be passing arguments by reference and when p开发者_JAVA百科assed by address?

I mean Except the case of pass by const reference, is there any difference between the two.

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I personally pass by pointer (address) when the pointer may be null, and pass by reference when it can't be null.

There are plenty of other considerations (const/non-const, smart/weak pointers etc) but I think this is a good guideline and answers your question well.