Can we overload a function based on only whether a parameter is a value or a reference?

Question

I got the answer NO! Because passing by value and passing by reference looks identical to the caller.

However, the code below compiles right

class A {

public:
void f(int i) {}    

void f(int& i) {}
};

But when I try to use it, there is compile error.

int main () {

   A a;
   int i = 9;
   int& j = i;
   a.f(1);
   a.f(i);
   a.f(j);
  return 0;
}

Why does not the compiler disable it even without knowing it is going to be used?

Answer 1

Yes, they can be overloaded based on reference or not. That is why it's perfectly fine to have them coexist like that; they are different.

The problem has to do with ambiguity. While f(1) can only be called on one variation, f(i) can be called on both. Neither is preferable, therefore you get an error for ambiguity. If you added a third function, foo (const int&), all calls would be ambiguous. But all are still overloads of each other, and non-conflicting.

I agree it's strange to be able to have three overloads of a function, and be able to directly call none. Perhaps someone else has more to add.

Answer 2

You can call each method:

void (A::*t)(int& ) =&A::f;
A a;
int i = 9;
int& j = i;   
a.f(1); //  f(int i)
((&a)->*t)(i); // f(int& i)