C++ functions: ampersand vs asterisk

Question

Let\'s say you have a function that modifies a variable.

Should you write it like this: void myfunc(int *a) or like this void myfunc(int &a)

Answer 1

I think I would disagre with @bb and @JaredPar and I lean to the opposite side of the fence. After years of trying to support other peoples C++ code, I often find problems lurking in non-obvious side effects of reference arguments. With C#, it is obvious since you have to prefix types of arguments with 'ref'/'out' but references are potentially confusing in C++. So, I like pointers because it's really clear something is coming back up. If you don't like points, C++ is not for you.