storing struct variable from function to local struct variable - c++

Question

typenid is a struct that is defined in a class Queue, queue.h
struct typenid{
typenid() : src_type(0), src_id(0){}
uint32_t src_type;
uint32_t src_id;
} node_details;
The following is a type of class in my event driven simulator.
class FindNextHopEvent : public event {
public:
FindNextHopEvent(double time, Packet *packet, Queue::typenid node_details );
~FindNextHopEvent();
void process_event();
Packet *packet;
Queue::typenid local_node_details; // should get the value of node_details
};
I want to use the node_details struct inside process_event() but I don't want to pass it as a parameter (due to various reason). Is there a way for local_node_details (a struct similar to node_details) to capture the value of node_details,so that I can access it in process_event() ? If so how can i do it. If I declare local_node_details as a pointer then I can use "this" operator but for structs how can I do it.
This is how my current definition looks like.
FindNextHopEvent::FindNextHopEvent(
double time,
Packet *packet,
Queue::typenid node_details
): event(NEXT_HOP_EVENT, time) {
this->packet = packet;
Queue::typenid local_node_details= node_details;
}
Any help is much appreciated.

Answer 1

There is a way, by using references. Pass a reference to the structure to the FindNextHopEvent constructor instead, and make your local_node_details structure be a reference, then you can do it:
class FindNextHopEvent : public event {
Queue::typenid& local_node_details;
// ^
// |
// Note use of ampersand to make it a reference
...
};
...
// Note use of ampersand to make it a reference
// |
// v
FindNextHopEvent(double time, Packet *packet, Queue::typenid& node_details )
// Use constructor initializer list to initialize references
: ..., local_node_details(node_details)
{ ... }