C++ FAQ - When to Use Initializer List for a Class

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We have to initialize the reference variable at the time of definition. When we have a reference variable in a class, the only possible way to initialize them is through initializer  list of the class constructor.

class Shape

{

private:

    int &m;

public:

    Shape(int a) : m(a) { }

};

void TestFunction()

{

    int q = 10;

    Shape a(q);  // a.m will point to int q and the value would be 10

}