Returning a reference : function return « Function « C++ Tutorial

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2. Function
3. function return

#include <iostream>
#include <string>
#include <vector>

using namespace std;

string& refToElement(vector<string>& inventory, int i);

int main()
{
    vector<string> inventory;
    inventory.push_back("sword");
    inventory.push_back("armor");
    inventory.push_back("shield");

    cout << refToElement(inventory, 0) << endl;

    //assigns one reference to another -- inexpensive assignment
    string& rStr = refToElement(inventory, 1);
    cout << rStr << endl;

    //copies a string object -- expensive assignment
    string str = refToElement(inventory, 2);
    cout << str << endl;

    //altering the string object through a returned reference
    rStr = "Healing Potion";
    cout << inventory[1] << endl;

    return 0;
}

//returns a reference to a string
string& refToElement(vector<string>& vec, int i)
{
    return vec[i];
}