What's the low-level difference between a pointer an a reference?

Question

If we have this code:

int foo=100;
int& reference = foo;
int* pointer = &reference;

There\'s no actual binary difference in the ref

Answer 1

Just to amplify, while it might be true that references are the same as pointers under the hood on nearly all compilers, it is a serious mistake to depend on that behavior. Not only is it likely to bite you on the ass when you least expect it, but it's also incorrect use of references. If it's a pointer you need, use a pointer.