A reference is simply a memory address that is automatically dereferenced by the language/runtime.
From that point of view
// (01) primitiveValue stores address #AvarprimitiveValue=1;// (02) someObject stores address #BvarsomeObject={is:'changed?'};// (03) myRefMaybe stores address #A from primitiveValuereference_assignment(primitiveValue);// (06) primitiveValue still has address #AprimitiveValue;// (07) myRefMaybe stores address #B from someObjectreference_assignment(someObject);// (10) someObject still has address #BsomeObject;functionreference_assignment(myRefMaybe){// (04) myRefMaybe still has address #A// (08) myRefMaybe still has address #BmyRefMaybe={key:42};// (05) myRefMaybe now has address #C// (09) myRefMaybe now has address #D}
if myRefMaybe was a reference, then re-assigning the value of that reference, would change the original definition too
To be able to change the "original definition" you would need the reference to the someObject reference itself (rather than the reference to the original object):
if someObject stores the address #B to the actual object
and that address #B is stored on behalf of someObject at address #Z
you need to place address #C at address #Z so that someObject now stores the address #C to that other object.
Update:
Call by Value: Copy the actual value.
Call by Sharing: Copy the address to the value.This makes it possible to share the value but not possible to replace the original value at the source variable.
Call by Reference: Copy the address of the "variable". This makes it possible to replace the original value at the source variable.
The way JavaScript behaves it actually never has to store anything at the address that is found in a variable - it only stores new addresses in variables.
// (1) `myRefMaybe` has address #B as set by callermyRefMaybe={key:42};// (2) New value `{ key: 42 }` is created// (3) `myRefMaybe` stores address #C to new value
For further actions, you may consider blocking this person and/or reporting abuse
We're a place where coders share, stay up-to-date and grow their careers.
A reference is simply a memory address that is automatically dereferenced by the language/runtime.
From that point of view
To be able to change the "original definition" you would need the reference to the
someObjectreference itself (rather than the reference to the original object):someObjectstores the address #B to the actual objectsomeObjectat address #ZsomeObjectnow stores the address #C to that other object.Update:
The way JavaScript behaves it actually never has to store anything at the address that is found in a variable - it only stores new addresses in variables.