Modern C++ Overview
Part Three Solutions
Copyright © James Raynard 2023
lvalue and rvalue
• Explain briefly what is meant by the terms "lvalue" and "rvalue" in
C++
• An lvalue is a value whose address can be taken using the & operator
• An rvalue is a value whose address cannot be taken using the & operator
• Give some examples
• int x; // x is an lvalue because &x is legal
•2 // 2 is an rvalue because &2 is not legal
Copyright © James Raynard 2023
lvalue and rvalue references
• Explain briefly what is meant by the terms "lvalue reference" and
"rvalue reference"
• An lvalue reference is a traditional reference, e.g.
• int x;
• int& y = x; // y is an (lvalue) reference to x
• An rvalue reference is a syntax feature which indicates that a variable needs
to be initialized with an rvalue
• void func(int&& x); // Function taking an rvalue reference as argument
Copyright © James Raynard 2023
Rvalue reference
• Write a function which has an rvalue reference as argument
• Write a program which calls this function, passing an rvalue to it
• Alter your program so that it passes an lvalue to it
• Explain your results
• When passing an rvalue, the program runs as expected
• When passing an lvalue, the program does not compile. This is because an
lvalue cannot be automatically converted to an rvalue
Copyright © James Raynard 2023
std::move
• Modify your program from the previous slide so that it works when
passing an lvalue
• What implications does this have?
• When an lvalue is passed as an rvalue to a function call, the data from the
lvalue is moved into the function call argument, leaving an empty object
• It is not safe to use the lvalue again, unless it is repopulated
Copyright © James Raynard 2023
