[net.lang.c++] References vs. Pointers

rlw@well.UUCP (Bob Weissman) (03/15/86)

Can someone explain to me simply the difference between a reference
and a pointer in C++?  I've reread section 2.3.10 of the C++ book
till I'm red-eyed.  My coworker insists that pointer == reference,
but sec. 2.3.10 says "a reference is a (constant) pointer that is
dereferenced each time it is used".

Can anyone clarify?

Thanks,
-- Bob
   G.WEISSMAN@SU-SCORE.ARPA
   ...!well!rlw