return value of prefix and postfix in C++

Question

Why in C++ the prefix return a reference but the postfix return a value?

Answer 1

Because with prefix you modify the object and then return it (so it can be lvalue), and with postfix you return the unchanged object (i.e. a copy) and only then update it (this is of course done by first storing the copy in a temporary, updating the original object, and then returning the temporary by value.)

Answer 2

How do you return reference to something that doesn't exist?

Answer 3

theoretically u cant (or shouldnt) refer to non-existent but if u want to it, use wild/null pointer. its a guaranteed access violation /facepalm