Difference between pointer and reference in C++

Puppy! Can Move/Change? -  is a *Pointer in C++

Statue! – Can’t change  - is a &reference in C++

Correct code -

int *p = &i;

int k;

p = &k;

Incorrect code -

int &b = a;

int c;

int &b = c;

While creating a reference, it has to be necessarily initialised to some variable or an object. Trying to create a standalone reference i.e. int &b; and then assigning it to some variable i.e. b=a; will not only generate an error, but would also be meaningless, since at the time of its creation itself, a reference has to refer to some variable.

Although references are internally maintained using pointers, there's a subtle difference between a pointer and a reference. The address contained in a pointer variable may be changed at any point in the program that makes it a flexible connection. However a reference once created, cant refer to any other object thus it is a rigid connection.

A pointer has to be de-referenced before you can access the value at the address contained in it. A reference is moreover a direct connection as its just another name for the same memory location.

You can have an array of pointers whereas you cannot have an array of references.