What does 'return *this' mean in C++?

Question

I\'m converting a C++ program to C#, but this part has me confused. What does return *this mean?

template< EDemoCommands msgType, typename PB_OBJECT_TYPE          


        

Answer 1

Like in C# this is an implicit pointer to the object you are currently using.
In your particular case, as you return a reference & to the object, you must use *this if you want to return the object you are currently working on.
Don't forget that a reference takes the variable itself, or in case of a pointer (this), the object pointed to (*this), but not the pointer (this).