pointer

n 1: a mark to indicate a direction or relation [syn: {arrow}]

2: an indicator as on a dial

3: (computer science) a movable spot of light (an icon) on a

visual display; moving the cursor allows the user to point

to commands or screen positions [syn: {cursor}]

4: a strong slender smooth-haired dog of Spanish origin having

a white coat with brown or black patches; scents out and

points game [syn: {Spanish pointer}]

pointer

1. An {address}, from the point of view of a

programming language. A pointer may be typed, with its {type}

indicating the type of data to which it points.

The terms "pointer" and "reference" are generally

interchangable although particular programming languages often

differentiate these two in subtle ways. For example, {Perl}

always calls them references, never pointers. Conversely, in

C, "pointer" is used, although "a reference" is often used to

denote the concept that a pointer implements.

{Anthony Hoare} once said:

Pointers are like jumps, leading wildly from one part of the

data structure to another. Their introduction into high-level

languages has been a step backwards from which we may never

recover.

[C.A.R.Hoare "Hints on Programming Language Design", 1973,

Prentice-Hall collection of essays and papers by Tony Hoare].

2. (Or "mouse pointer") An {icon}, usually

a small arrow, that moves on the screen in response to

movement of a {pointing device}, typically a {mouse}. The

pointer shows the user which object on the screen will be

selected etc. when a mouse button is clicked.

(1999-07-07)