dangling pointer


dangling pointer

(programming)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.