对指针、引用的理解（三）【引用】

// Inventory Referencer
// Demonstrates returning a reference


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


using namespace std;


//returns a reference to a string
string& refToElement(vector<string>& inventory, int i); 


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


//displays string that the returned reference refers to 
cout << "Sending the returned reference to cout:\n";  //显示返回的引用的值 
cout << refToElement(inventory, 0) << "\n\n";//返回inventory中位置0的元素的引用,代码随后将引用发送给cout,所以显示sword


//assigns one reference to another -- inexpensive assignment 
cout << "Assigning the returned reference to another reference.\n";
string& rStr = refToElement(inventory, 1); //将返回的引用赋值给另一个引用。这行代码将inventory中位置1处的元素的引用赋值给rStr
cout << "Sending the new reference to cout:\n";
cout << rStr << "\n\n";


//copies a string object -- expensive assignment
cout << "Assigning the returned reference to a string object.\n";
string str = refToElement(inventory, 2);//将返回的引用赋值给变量。代码将返回的引用所指向的元素（inventory位置2处的元素）进行复制，然后将该string对象的新的副本赋值给对象str
cout << "Sending the new string object to cout:\n";
cout << str << "\n\n";


//altering the string object through a returned reference
cout << "Altering an object through a returned reference.\n";
rStr = "Healing Potion";//通过返回的引用修改对象
cout << "Sending the altered object to cout:\n";
cout << inventory[1] << endl;


return 0;
}


//returns a reference to a string
string& refToElement(vector<string>& vec, int i)//通过在string&中使用引用运算符，说明函数返回一个指向string对象的引用（不是string对象自身）
{
return vec[i];//返回向量中位置i处的引用。返回对象还是对象的引用不是由return语句决定而是由函数头部和函数原型决定
}