Function Return Values

Return by Value
- A copy of the object in the return statement is returned.
- The copy constructor is used to make the copy.
Return a Pointer
- The return statement returns a pointer to an object.
- The pointer may be dereferenced to access the object.
- The object must not pass out of scope when execution returns from the function.
Return by Reference
- A reference to the object in the return statement is returned.
- The address of the object, rather than the object itself, is returned.
- The reference is automatically dereferenced when it is used.
- The object must not pass out of scope when execution returns from the function.

This page was last modified on Feb 1, 2001

URL: http://people.hsc.edu/faculty-staff/robbk/Coms262/Lectures/FunctionReturnValues.html