dangling pointer
<programming> A reference that doesn't actually lead anywhere. In C and
some other languages, a pointer that doesn't actually point at anything valid.
Usually this happens because it formerly pointed to something that has moved or
disappeared, e.g. a heap-allocated block which has been freed and reused.
Used as jargon in a generalisation of its technical meaning; for example, a
local phone number for a person who has since moved is a dangling pointer.
[Jargon File]
Nearby terms:
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dangling pointer » DANTE » DAP Fortran » DAPLEX
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