dangling pointer

noun

A pointer (variable that holds the address of a memory location) that does not reference a valid object.

Similar
wild pointer
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Meanings

noundangling pointer (plural dangling pointers)

plural dangling pointers

  1. broadlycomputingA pointer (variable that holds the address of a memory location) that does not reference a valid object.

    Synonyms: wild pointer

  2. strictlycomputingA pointer referencing memory that was previously deallocated.

Synonyms & antonyms

nounA pointer (variable that holds the address of a memory location) that does not reference a valid object.

Similar
wild pointer
Also see
wild pointer

Translations

Portuguese ponteiro pendente
  • ponteiro pendentepointer that does not reference a valid object
Cite this entry
APA

dangling pointer. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/dangling%20pointer

MLA

“dangling pointer.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/dangling%20pointer. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “dangling pointer,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/dangling%20pointer.

Source: dangling pointer on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.