passing strings to functions

[esum]

When passing a string from std::string into a function, do you have to reference the address?

Which is correct:

string foo(string my_string)
{
return my_string
}

or

string& foo(string& my_string)
{
return my_string&
}

[IceThatJaw]

Passing without the & makes a copy of the variable. Passing with the & passes the address of the variable.


In your second example you do not need the & when you return it. The declaration of string& already tells the compiler that you are returning a reference.

Just make sure that if you return a reference that it is not a reference to a variable that was declared inside that function or you will be returning a ghost reference since when the function finishes executing that variable is destroyed. (unless its static)