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+* Why can't you return a raw C-style array :cpp:arrays:elaborative-why:
+:PROPERTIES:
+:ANKI_NOTE_TYPE: Basic
+:END:
+** Front
+Why is returning a raw C-style array illegal in C++?
+** Back
+Arrays /decay to pointers/ when passed around. Returning one would return a pointer to a local variable that's destroyed when the function returns — undefined behavior. The compiler forbids it.
+
+#+begin_src c++
+int arr[26];
+return arr;  // ❌ returns pointer to dead stack memory
+#+end_src
+
+* std::array vs int[]: key differences :cpp:arrays:comparative:
+:PROPERTIES:
+:ANKI_NOTE_TYPE: Basic
+:END:
+** Front
+How does ~std::array<int, 26>~ differ from ~int[26]~?
+** Back
+| Feature              | ~int[26]~ | ~std::array<int,26>~ |
+|----------------------+-----------+---------------------|
+| Return by value      | No        | Yes                 |
+| Copy/assign          | No        | Yes                 |
+| Knows its own size   | No        | ~.size()~           |
+| Works with STL algos | No        | Yes                 |
+| Zero-init with ~{}~  | No        | Yes                 |
+
+Same machine code — zero overhead.
+
+* Task: return character frequency count from string :cpp:arrays:production:
+:PROPERTIES:
+:ANKI_NOTE_TYPE: Basic
+:END:
+** Front
+Write a function that counts character frequencies in a string and returns the result. The string has only lowercase letters.
+** Back
+#+begin_src c++
+std::array<int, 26> calc(const std::string& str) {
+    std::array<int, 26> arr{};
+    for (char c : str) {
+        arr[c - 'a']++;
+    }
+    return arr;
+}
+#+end_src
+
+* Stack vs heap: std::array vs std::vector :cpp:arrays:comparative:
+:PROPERTIES:
+:ANKI_NOTE_TYPE: Basic
+:END:
+** Front
+Where is the data stored for ~std::array<int,26>~ vs ~std::vector<int>(26)~?
+** Back
+- ~std::array~ → *stack*. Data stored inline inside the struct, no dynamic allocation.
+- ~std::vector~ → *heap*. Internally calls ~new[]~, pointer indirection.
+
+Rule: use ~std::array~ when size is known at compile time (fast, no alloc). Use ~std::vector~ when size is dynamic.
+
+* Why const in const T& parameter :cpp:references:elaborative-why:
+:PROPERTIES:
+:ANKI_NOTE_TYPE: Basic
+:END:
+** Front
+Why write ~const std::string&~ instead of ~std::string&~ for a read-only parameter?
+** Back
+Two reasons:
+
+1. *Enforces intent* — compiler catches accidental mutation inside the function.
+2. *Allows more callers* — without ~const~, you can't pass temporaries or const variables:
+
+#+begin_src c++
+calc("hello");               // ❌ without const
+const std::string s = "hi";
+calc(s);                     // ❌ without const
+#+end_src
+
+* Why & instead of pass-by-value for string param :cpp:references:elaborative-why:
+:PROPERTIES:
+:ANKI_NOTE_TYPE: Basic
+:END:
+** Front
+Why pass ~std::string~ by reference (~const std::string&~) instead of by value?
+** Back
+~std::string~ contains a heap allocation. Passing by value copies it — allocating memory and copying every character.
+
+#+begin_src c++
+calc(std::string str)        // copies entire string — heap allocation
+calc(const std::string& str) // passes address only — no copy
+#+end_src
+
+For a function that only reads, the copy is pure waste.
+
+* Reference vs pointer for function parameters :cpp:references:comparative:
+:PROPERTIES:
+:ANKI_NOTE_TYPE: Basic
+:END:
+** Front
+When do you use ~T&~ vs ~T*~ for a function parameter?
+** Back
+| Feature           | Reference ~T&~ | Pointer ~T*~       |
+|-------------------+----------------+--------------------|
+| Can be null       | No             | Yes                |
+| Dereference       | ~str[i]~       | ~(*str)[i]~        |
+| Can be reassigned | No             | Yes                |
+
+Use ~T*~ when null is a valid input. Use ~T&~ when the value is *guaranteed to exist* — which is almost always the case for function parameters.
+
+* Rule of thumb: C++ function parameter types :cpp:references:factual:
+:PROPERTIES:
+:ANKI_NOTE_TYPE: Basic
+:END:
+** Front
+What's the general rule for choosing parameter types in C++ functions?
+** Back
+- *Non-trivial types* (~string~, ~vector~, structs): use ~const T&~ for read-only, ~T&~ for mutating
+- *Cheap types* (~int~, ~char~, ~bool~, pointers): pass by value
+- *Nullable input*: use ~T*~
+- *Guaranteed non-null*: use ~T&~