shallow copy

noun

A copy of a data structure which shares any linked structures with the original.

“If you modify that, you'll modify all the shallow copies of the header that points to it.”

Opposite
deep copy
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Meanings

nounshallow copy (plural shallow copies)

plural shallow copies

  1. computingA copy of a data structure which shares any linked structures with the original.

    If you modify that, you'll modify all the shallow copies of the header that points to it.

Synonyms & antonyms

Opposite
deep copy
Cite this entry
APA

shallow copy. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/shallow%20copy

MLA

“shallow copy.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/shallow%20copy. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “shallow copy,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/shallow%20copy.

Source: shallow copy on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.