DANGLING POINTER
\dˈaŋɡəlɪŋ pˈɔ͡ɪntə], \dˈaŋɡəlɪŋ pˈɔɪntə], \d_ˈa_ŋ_ɡ_ə_l_ɪ_ŋ p_ˈɔɪ_n_t_ə]\
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A reference that doesn't actually lead anywhere.In C and some other languages, a pointer that doesn'tactually point at anything valid. Usually this happensbecause it formerly pointed to something that has moved ordisappeared, e.g. a heap-allocated block which has been freedand reused.Used as jargon in a generalisation of its technical meaning;for example, a local phone number for a person who has sincemoved is a dangling pointer.
By Denis Howe
