Question about references
<p>I think the following is really basic but I don't really get what would be the "advantages" of one of these code.</p>

<p>Having this:</p>

<pre><code>int main()
{
    int a = 10;
    f(a);
    return 0;
}
</code></pre>

<p>What would be the difference between</p>

<pre><code>void f(int&amp; a)
{
    int&amp; b = a;
}
</code></pre>

<p>and</p>

<pre><code>void f(int&amp; a)
{
    int b = a;
}
</code></pre>

<p>In particular, in the case where <code>f</code> would instead be the constructor of a class and where instead of an <code>int</code> we have a big object.</p>

<p>I would go with the second possibility... What do you think ?</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

<p><strong>Edit:</strong></p>

<p>First, looking at the answers, I though I was brain dead when I posted the question, but actually I found interesting subquestions (and answers !) in the comments.</p>
