So you would prefer to introduce two reference variables? Sorry, I do not like this idea. I would prefer to keep the number of variables to a minimum. Introducing two variables just for the sake of solving a readability issue seems like a bad idea to me. What if one reference was changed later in the code? Then you must remember to update the other reference at the same place also. This clearly becomes a maintenance problem. And if you forget to update the other variable, there are potential for more confusion.