What does "reference type" mean in programming?

reference type is one of the most common terms in software development. This guide explains what it means, how it is used in practice, and why it matters, with real examples from the developer world.

Definition

A type whose variable holds a reference (address) pointing to the actual data in memory, not the data itself. Assigning a reference type copies the reference, so both variables point to the same object. In most languages, objects, arrays, and classes are reference types.

Example

"const a = { x: 1 }; const b = a; b.x = 2; // a.x is now 2 too"

Related terms

value type
primitive type
object
pointer
mutable

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