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]