title: C++ and CONST: How to use UINT32 in the typedef place of FLAG and use CONST FLAG flag; inside the structure?ong
body: <p>I am new to C++ programming. I am analyzing a code and I found the following:</p>
  
  <pre><code>typedef unsigned short UINT16;
  typedef unsigned long UINT32;
  typedef UNIT16 FLAG;
  
  //within a structure,
  struct x
  {
        const FLAG&amp; flag; //what this means??
  };
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>When I change the FLAG datatype to UNIT32, then FLAG&amp; is returning some other value i guess. If i use FLAG instead of FLAG&amp;, then it is behaving properly.</p>
  
  <p>Please help me to understand the above.</p>
  
  <p>Thanks in advance.</p>