Minti said:
Can you make sure that your object has been allocated on heap rather
than on stack?
You also can't tell if a pointer points to an object on the heap or stack.
From the top: Prefer weaker constructions over constructions with wider
interfaces. Prefer int unless you need double, prefer std::string unless you
need the freedom of char[], and prefer references unless you need one of
these:
1. reseat to something else
2. index with [] (essentially the same as 1)
3. could be NULL
4. a compilable comment
Despite item 3, you should not pass NULL into object interfaces (you should
pass handles to Null Object pattern objects, at least). Items 1 and 2 imply
a method should not take a pointer argument and point it to something else
as a convenience.
Item 4 is the clicker. An interface should request a pointer (or better yet,
a smart pointer) if it documents that it will own the pointee, and will
delete it. Passing such a pointer symbolizes transfer of ownership.
Without item 4, the other items indicate you should pass a reference even if
you intend to delete the referand from the heap. So, like the others said,
don't.
Now research smart pointers, to learn to encapsulate the ownership from the
clients of a heap object.
