Does Kotlin allow for `optionally` passing by reference like the & in php?

Question

In PHP you can optionally make parameters pass by reference with an & in the function definition:

someFunction($byValue, &$byReference) { // $byValue is passed in by value // $byReference is passed in by reference due to the preceding & }

Is this possible in Kotlin? If not, does anyone know if it's planned?

Does this answer your question? Is Kotlin "pass-by-value" or "pass-by-reference"? — Quinn
– Quinn, Commented Jan 3, 2020 at 19:15
@Quinn yes the answer to my question can be derived from the question you linked though I don't see it as a direct duplicate as stated in the comment on your own answer. — whmkr
– whmkr, Commented Jan 3, 2020 at 21:25
@wheelmaker Yes you're right, it is not a direct duplicate, just a similar question. Sorry for my phrasing — Quinn
– Quinn, Commented Jan 3, 2020 at 21:28

whmkr · Accepted Answer · 2020-01-03 21:21:49Z

1

I believe that similar to Java, Kotlin is always pass-by-value and optional pass-by-reference is not possible.

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answered Jan 3, 2020 at 19:13

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2 Comments

Do you believe that or do you have any sources or even some code providing an example about this?

@NicoHaase see the duplicate question i linked in the comments