Does call by reference actually exist in c

@pratap-singh-6xlmve • Oct 22, 2024

Oct 22, 2024

1.5K

hi,

when dealing with arrays we often come across mechanism that seems to implement call by reference, of course, during function calls.

Is it not the violation of the fact that 'all function calls in c are by value only', or is there any mechanism other than call by reference and call by value that is being implemented?

kindly explain...

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Anoop Kumar

@anoop-kumar-GDGRCn • Dec 1, 2012

When ever you pass a variable to function in arguments, it's pass by reference.
When you use pointers its pass by reference, as pointer directly points to original address.

 Pass by value
 
void foo(int j) {
  j = 0;  /*  modifies the copy of the argument received by the function  */
}
 
int main(void) {
  int k=10;
  foo(k);
  /*  k still equals 10  */
}
 
pass by refence.
 
If you do want a function to modify its argument you can obtain the desired effect using pointer arguments instead:
 
     
 
void foo(int *j) {
  *j = 0;
}
 
int main(void) {
  int k=10;
  foo(&k);
  /*  k now equals 0  */
}

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rahul69

@rahul69-97fAOs • Dec 1, 2012

Arrays are always passed by reference, regardless of C or C++. In C++, pass by reference takes place by use of '&' and in C, the same reference is done using pointers😀
0
Vishal Sharma

@vishal-pysGmK • Dec 2, 2012

actually, while passing array you don't even need to write '&'
0
Ankita Katdare

@abrakadabra • Dec 2, 2012

That is a good question. I want to know, where did you get

violation of the fact that 'all function calls in c are by value only'
that from? Is it mentioned in some book?
0