Default value to a parameter while passing by reference in C++

Is it possible to give a default value to a parameter of a function while we are passing the parameter by reference. in C++

For example, when I try to declare a function like:

virtual const ULONG Write(ULONG &State = 0, bool sequence = true);

When I do this it gives an error:

error C2440: 'default argument' : cannot convert from 'const int' to 'unsigned long &' A reference that is not to 'const' cannot be bound to a non-lvalue

Solution 1:

You can do it for a const reference, but not for a non-const one. This is because C++ does not allow a temporary (the default value in this case) to be bound to non-const reference.

One way round this would be to use an actual instance as the default:

static int AVAL = 1;

void f( int & x = AVAL ) {
   // stuff
} 

int main() {
     f();       // equivalent to f(AVAL);
}

but this is of very limited practical use.

Solution 2:

It has been said in one of the direct comments to your answer already, but just to state it officially. What you want to use is an overload:

virtual const ULONG Write(ULONG &State, bool sequence);
inline const ULONG Write()
{
  ULONG state;
  bool sequence = true;
  Write (state, sequence);
}

Using function overloads also have additional benefits. Firstly you can default any argument you wish:

class A {}; 
class B {}; 
class C {};

void foo (A const &, B const &, C const &);
void foo (B const &, C const &); // A defaulted
void foo (A const &, C const &); // B defaulted
void foo (C const &); // A & B defaulted etc...

It is also possible to redefine default arguments to virtual functions in derived class, which overloading avoids:

class Base {
public:
  virtual void f1 (int i = 0);  // default '0'

  virtual void f2 (int);
  inline void f2 () {
    f2(0);                      // equivalent to default of '0'
  }
};

class Derived : public Base{
public:
  virtual void f1 (int i = 10);  // default '10'

  using Base::f2;
  virtual void f2 (int);
};

void bar ()
{
  Derived d;
  Base & b (d);
  d.f1 ();   // '10' used
  b.f1 ();   // '0' used

  d.f2 ();   // f1(int) called with '0' 
  b.f2 ();   // f1(int) called with '0
}

There is only one situation where a default really needs to be used, and that is on a constructor. It is not possible to call one constructor from another, and so this technique does not work in that case.

Solution 3:

There still is the old C way of providing optional arguments: a pointer that can be NULL when not present:

void write( int *optional = 0 ) {
    if (optional) *optional = 5;
}

Solution 4:

This little template will help you:

template<typename T> class ByRef {
public:
    ByRef() {
    }

    ByRef(const T value) : mValue(value) {
    }

    operator T&() const {
        return((T&)mValue);
    }

private:
    T mValue;
};

Then you'll be able to:

virtual const ULONG Write(ULONG &State = ByRef<ULONG>(0), bool sequence = true);