Call by Reference vs Call by value
Call by Value vs Call by Reference :
Call by value in function is passing argument method in function, in which copies of actual arguments are passed to the function.Call by Reference in function is passing argument method in function, in which actual arguments are passed to the function.
Call by value:
The call by value method inserts the value of an argument into the function’s formal parameter.As a result, adjustments made to the main function’s parameter have no impact on the argument.
This method of transferring parameters copies the values of the actual parameters to the formal parameters of the function, which are kept in several memory locations.
Therefore, modifications done inside such functions do not affect the caller’s actual parameters.
Example :
#include<stdio.h>
void change(int a, int b){ // function to chane the value
a = 100, b=200;
}
int main() {
int a = 10, b =20;
int sum =0;
sum = a+b;
printf("the sum of values before function calling : %d \n", sum);
change(a,b); // caliing the function
sum = a+b; // add again the value
printf("the sum of values after function calling : %d ", sum);
return 0;
}
Output:
the sum of values before function calling : 30 the sum of values after function calling : 30
Call by Reference :
The address of an argument is copied into the formal parameter using the call by reference mechanism.In this manner, the actual parameter used in the function call is accessed using the address.In other words, changing the parameter will modify the passing argument.
The memory allocation in this method corresponds to the actual parameters.
The value stored at the address of the actual parameter is the starting point for all operations in the function, and the updated value will be placed there as well.
Example:
#include<stdio.h>
void addition(int *val){ // function to add
(*val) += 100;
}
int main(){
int val = 10;
printf("The value of integer before function calling : %d\n", val);
addition(&val); // function calling
printf("The value of integer after function calling : %d", val);
return 0;
}
Output :
The value of integer before function calling : 10 The value of integer after function calling : 110
| Call by value | Call by reference |
| In calling function, we pass value of variable | In calling function, we pass address of variable |
| A copy of variable is created | A real argument is passed to the function |
| Changes made in the function does not effect the real variable | Changes made in the function effect the real variable |
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