It's different.
int g_test = 0;
int& getNumberReference()
{
return g_test;
}
int getNumberValue()
{
return g_test;
}
int main()
{
int& n = getNumberReference();
int m = getNumberValue();
n = 10;
cout << g_test << endl; // prints 10
g_test = 0;
m = 10;
cout << g_test << endl; // prints 0
return 0;
}
the getNumberReference() returns a reference, under the hood it's like a pointer that points to an integer variable. Any change applyed to the reference applies to the returned variable.
The getNumberReference() is also a left-value, therefore it can be used like this:
getNumberReference() = 10;
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