C++ function returning reference to array

Question

Is there any other way to receive a reference to an array from function returning except using a pointer?

Here is my code.

int ia[] = {1, 2, 3};
decl         


        

Answer 1

Is there any other way to receive a reference to an array from function returning except using a pointer?

Yes, using a reference to an array, like with any other type:

int (&ref)[3] = a.foo();

To avoid the clunky syntax, you could use a typedef instead.

typedef int int_array3[3];

...
int_array3& foo() { return ia; }

...

int_array3& ref = a.foo();