Is there a way to return object reference

It is technically difficult and dangerous to store C++ references in wrappers. So my advice is to use CppClassReturnValue for "Class&" actual return values. The end result will be that Python will create a wrapper containing a copy of the C++ object, not a reference, but otherwise things should just work the same.

If you really need a reference to a C++ object, I'm afraid PyBindGen does not support it and you should change the API to return a pointer instead. While I would not go as far as to say supporting real return references is impossible, I would say it is difficult and dangerous, and so I have no plans to support it. Just pretend it is returned by value and things should be OK.

Hey,

I have the similar issue. I have multiple accessor methods that look like this

class Vehicle {

    Vector3d& pos() {return pos_;}
private:
    Vector3d pos_;
};

Is this possible ? I am asking this again since the question in this thread is a few years old. I am thrashing between Boost.Python and Pybindgen. Boost.Python seems to be happy handling the return of references.

I like pybinden way better than Boost Python. Using pointers would mean I have to deference every-time I use it. This is very inconvenient when writing equations. I cannot really swallow the Boost.Python compile time. It is way too slow.

By the way Gustavo, I wish to encourage your excellent work on PyBindGen. Most impressive.

regards
suresh.