You are here: irt.org | FOLDOC | call-by-reference
<programming> An argument passing convention where the address of an argument variable is passed to a function or procedure, as opposed to passing the value of the argument expression. Execution of the function or procedure may have side-effects on the actual argument as seen by the caller. The C language's "&" (address of) and "*" (dereference) operators allow the programmer to code explicit call-by-reference. Other languages provide special syntax to declare reference arguments (e.g. ALGOL 60).
See also call-by-name, call-by-value, call-by-value-result.
(2006-05-27)
Nearby terms: callback « call-by-name « call-by-need « call-by-reference » call-by-value » call-by-value-result » call/cc
FOLDOC, Topics, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, ?, ALL