c++ - Argument passing standardization -

my c++ project getting huge. in situations i'm passing arguments reference own convenience, in don't. here's example:

struct foo{     foo(int &member){         this->member = &member;     }     private:         int *member; }; 

i'm using pattern when don't want create 2 instances of int variable. don't have implement get or modify methods manipulate value. instead can change variable without accessing foo object. i'm using different way of managing member variables:

struct foo{     foo(int member){         this->member = member;     }     void modify_member(){         this->member = 6;     }     int get_member(){         return this->member;     }     private:         int member; }; 

i'm not sure whether mixing these 2 methods of managing members in same struct practice. should normalize it? example every function in given struct using "pass value" method?

your first case recipe disaster. you'll end dangling pointers , truck load of undefined behaviour.

your second case poor attempt @ encapsulation. there's no need it. use int. reduce size of code base.