In PHP, references allow you to create multiple names for the same variable, enabling you to access and manipulate its value through different
identifiers. They are denoted by the ampersand symbol & placed before the variable name during declaration or assignment.
Any modification a method makes to a function parameter passed by reference will also be made to the original value.
This feature can be difficult to use correctly, particularly if the callee is not expecting a reference.
The improper use of references in function calls can make code less efficient rather than more efficient.
What is the potential impact?
While references can provide flexibility and efficiency in certain scenarios, they can also introduce complexity and potential pitfalls. Incorrect
usage of references may lead to unexpected behavior, difficult-to-debug code, and unintended side effects. It’s important to exercise caution and
fully understand the implications before employing references.
