The problem is not related to references itself. The problem is that in C++, object lifetime is managed differently than in Java or other run-time environments that use a garbage collector. C++ doesn’t have standard built-in garbage collector. C++ object lifetime can be automatic (within local or global scope) or manual (explicitly allocated/deallocated in heap). … Read more
As others indicated, stdole.dll is a Primary Interop Assembly for a bunch of Office COM interop components. You can determine why it’s getting included in your project by doing the following. In Visual Studio, go to Tools > Options > Projects and Solutions > Build and Run. Change the “MSBuild project build output verbosity” setting … Read more
If you look at what va_start expands out to, you’ll see what’s happening: va_start(argptr, format); becomes (roughly) argptr = (va_list) (&format+1); If format is a value-type, it gets placed on the stack right before all the variadic arguments. If format is a reference type, only the address gets placed on the stack. When you take … Read more
A reference is an entity that is an alias for another object. A reference is not a variable as a variable is only introduced by the declaration of an object. An object is a region of storage and, in C++, references do not (necessarily) take up any storage. As objects and references are distinct groups … Read more
I have created a small Windows application, programmed with the table at Parts and States. This application lets the programmer browse and explore all parts and states, using the current OS theme. (High-Res) It can be downloaded at https://privat.rejbrand.se/UxExplore.exe The (Delphi, Win32 API) source, which is too long to be posted here (due to hundreds … Read more
A handle is usually an opaque reference to an object. The type of the handle is unrelated to the element referenced. Consider for example a file descriptor returned by open() system call. The type is int but it represents an entry in the open files table. The actual data stored in the table is unrelated … Read more
As others have noted, you cannot have a field of “ref to variable” type. However, just knowing that you cannot do it is probably unsatisfying; you probably also want to know first, why not, and second, how to get around this restriction. The reason why is because there are only three possibilities: 1) Disallow fields … Read more
Return by value. The compiler can optimize away the copy, so the end result is what you want. An object is created, and returned to the caller. I think the reason why you rarely see people do this is because you’re looking at the wrong C++ code. 😉 Most people coming from Java feel uncomfortable … Read more
As already stated, there is nothing wrong with referencing 2 different versions of a NuGet package, as long as it’s in different Visual Studio Projects that those references are made. But this is also where the easy part ends, but I think there are a few options left. Depending on your needs, I see the … Read more