Meaning

(programming) To access the value or object located in a memory location addressed by a pointer or another value interpreted as such; to access a value being referenced by something else..

Definitions by Sense

1. (programming) To access the value or object located in a memory location addressed by a pointer or another value interpreted as such; to access a value being referenced by something else.
2. (computing, *nix) To operate on the file or directory pointed to by a symbolic link, rather than on the link itself.
3. (computing, *nix) To dissolve a symbolic link by replacing it with a copy of its target.
4. The act by which something is dereferenced.

Example Sentences

Attempting to dereference a null pointer often results in a crash.

With the find command, any symbolic links appearing after -follow will be dereferenced.

Either each dereference must use a complicated DCAS protocol, or each pointer must include a version number that is managed on each modification and checked on each dereference, or storage management must be tightly coupled […]

Word Forms

• dereferences
• dereferencing
• dereferenced

Synonyms for dereference

Related Words

When Should You Use Dereference?

Use dereference when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

Practice This Word

Frequently Asked Questions