title: C++ sending reference?
body: <p>let's suppose I have:</p>
  <pre><code>template&lt;class S, class T&gt;
  class node
  {
  public:
    S key;
  
    node(const S&amp; key)
      : key(key)
    {}
  };
  </code></pre>
  <p>Will this save a new instance of <code>key</code> or simply point to the one sent as parameter to the function?</p>
  <p>I'm quit not sure since on the one hand I am sending a reference &quot;kind of a pointer&quot;, on the other hand key isn't a pointer so a new instance should be made...</p>