Confusion over C++ pointer and reference topic

Question

What is the difference between the following parameter passing mechanisms in C++?

void foo(int &x) 
void foo(int *x)
void foo(int **x)
void foo(int *&am         


        

Answer 1

Just adding: I think your spacing is misleading. Maybe things get a bit clearer if you change it.

The , &, * and so on is part of the type, so keep it with the type:

void foo(int& x) 
void foo(int* x)
void foo(int** x)
void foo(int*& x)

int& is an reference to an int, int* is a pointer to an int, int** is a pointer to an pointer to an int, and so on. You still need to read the types from right to left - int*& being a reference to an pointer to an int. But that's consistent.

I think this is easier to read and represents better what is meant.