Remember const? The const keywords tells the compiler that we won’t change something.
For example, in the following code, we are telling the compiler that the double variable pi will stay at 3.14 through out the program:
If we try to change pi, the compiler will throw an error.
Sometimes, we use const in a function parameter; this is when we know for a fact that we want to write a function where the parameter won’t change inside the function. Here’s an example:
In this example, we are not modifiying the i. If inside the function triple(), the value of i is changed, there will be a compiler error.
So to save the computational cost for a function that doesn’t modify the parameter value(s), we can actually go a step further and use a const reference:
This will ensure the same thing: the parameter won’t be changed. However, by making i a reference to the argument, this saves the computational cost of making a copy of the argument.
Instructions
Take a look at the program in the code editor. There is a function called square() and there is a main() where we call square() once.
What do you think this code will output?
Run the program to see if you are correct.
Since we are not modifying the parameter in the function, let’s go a step further and make the square()‘s parameter a const reference.
Run the code again.
The output should be the same!