Pass-by-reference problem in Codeblocks

Question

Hi!
I tried running this code in Codeblocks:

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int fct(int *a){
*a=5;
return *a;
}

int main(){
int a=3;
cout << a << endl << fct(&a);
return 0;
}

The output was:
5
5

Does anyone know why the value of "a" gets changed before calling the function? If I replace "cout << a << endl << fct(&a);" with "cout << a << endl; cout << fct(&a);" the output becomes:
3
5

Answer 1

Hi,
When u use cout << a << endl << fct(&a);
The computer will calculate the full string before to print it.
so it could look like that cout << [a << endl << fct(&)]
So the a is change in the function fct who is call before cout.

Answer 2

Thank you!