Returning a “NULL reference” in C++?

Question

In dynamically typed languages like JavaScript or PHP, I often do functions such as:

function getSomething(name) {
    if (content_[name]) return content_[na         


        

Answer 1

Why "besides using pointers"? Using pointers is the way you do it in C++. Unless you define some "optional" type which has something like the isNull() function you mentioned. (or use an existing one, like boost::optional)

References are designed, and guaranteed, to never be null. Asking "so how do I make them null" is nonsensical. You use pointers when you need a "nullable reference".