References

• A reference is like a pointer, except:

  1. Usage syntax is like an object.

  2. References always refer to something.

  3. References can't be reassigned to something else.

• This is enforced by:

  1. Requiring initialization in case of variables.

  2. The implicit reference initialization in case of function parameters.

  3. No syntax exists to changing the referent
     (object that a reference is pointing to).

• Once instantiated, the reference becomes eternal synonym
  for an object or a variable.