With for example
struct Foo {
mapping(address => uint) b;
}
Foo[] foo;
if a function only deals with foo[4], can it reference it from storage without copying it? is that what
function c() {
Foo memory p = foo[4];
}
does?
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1 Answer
To get a reference from a variable in the contract state you have to use storage qualifier
function c() {
Foo storage p = foo[4];
}
Inside the c function all changes to p will update foo also.
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it copies nothing, right? if I use
memory, does it copy anything, or, is it a reference except it cannot be updated?– cotldNov 6, 2018 at 6:23 -
@cotld If you use the memory qualifier it will create a copy in memory of the struct.– Ismael ♦Nov 6, 2018 at 6:53
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so its less work for the EVM to use
storage? isstoragecheaper in gas as well?– cotldNov 6, 2018 at 6:56 -
@cotld Access to storage is more expensive, reading an uint from storage cost 200 gas, from memory is 3 gas, update an uint from storage cost 5000 or 20000 gas. But memory is very limited if you use too much the cost grows quickly. In practice you have to try different approaches to reduce gas consumption, ie use only storage, only memory or mixing storage and memory.– Ismael ♦Nov 6, 2018 at 7:57