This print for content only-size & color not accurate 7" X 9-1/4" / casebound / malloy

The ref Modifier

Now consider the use of the C# ref parameter modifier. Reference parameters are necessary when

you wish to allow a method to operate on (and usually change the values of ) various data points

declared in the caller’s scope (such as a sorting or swapping routine). Note the distinction between

output and reference parameters:

• Output parameters do not need to be initialized before they passed to the method. The

reason for this? The method must assign output parameters before exiting.

• Reference parameters must be initialized before they are passed to the method. The reason

for this? You are passing a reference to an existing variable. If you don’t assign it to an initial

value, that would be the equivalent of operating on an unassigned local variable.

Let’s check out the use of the ref keyword by way of a method that swaps two strings: