reference Reference is a relationship between objects in which one object designates, or acts as a means by which to connect to or link to, another object. The first object in this relation is said to ''refer to'' the second object. It is called a '' name'' ...

is a relationship in which one object designates or links to another. Reference or reference point may also refer to: *

Reference (computer science) In computer programming, a reference is a value that enables a program to indirectly access a particular data, such as a variable's value or a record, in the computer's memory or in some other storage device. The reference is said to refer t ...

Reference (C++) In the C++ programming language, a reference is a simple reference datatype that is less powerful but safer than the pointer type inherited from C. The name ''C++ reference'' may cause confusion, as in computer science a reference is a general c ...

* ''Reference'' (film), a 1985 Bulgarian film *Reference, a

citation A citation is a reference to a source. More precisely, a citation is an abbreviated alphanumeric expression embedded in the body of an intellectual work that denotes an entry in the bibliographic references section of the work for the purpose o ...

, i.e., a link to a source of information *Reference, a person or employer who - either verbally or via a written letter of reference or

recommendation letter A letter of recommendation or recommendation letter, also known as a letter of reference, reference letter or simply reference, is a document in which the writer assesses the qualities, characteristics, and capabilities of the person being recommen ...

- will attest to one's character or qualifications, e.g., for a board position, job, membership, residency, scholarship, school admission, etc. *

Reference design Reference design refers to a technical blueprint of a system that is intended for others to copy. It contains the essential elements of the system; however, third parties may enhance or modify the design as required. When discussing computer desi ...

, in engineering *

Reference desk The reference desk or information desk of a library is a public service counter where professional librarians provide library users with direction to library materials, advice on library collections and services, and expertise on multiple kinds ...

, in a library *

Reference question In Canadian law, a reference question or reference case (formally called abstract review) is a submission by the federal or a provincial government to the courts asking for an advisory opinion on a major legal issue. Typically the question conc ...

, a concept in Canadian public law *

Reference work A reference work is a work, such as a paper, book or periodical (or their electronic equivalents), to which one can refer for information. The information is intended to be found quickly when needed. Such works are usually ''referred'' to ...

, a dictionary, encyclopedia, etc. **

Digital reference Digital reference (more commonly called virtual reference) is a service by which a library reference service is conducted online, and the reference transaction is a computer-mediated communication. It is the remote, computer-mediated delivery of re ...

(also virtual reference) *

Reference.com Reference.com is an online encyclopedia that organizes content that uses a question-and-answer format. Articles are organized into hierarchical categories. Before IAC restructured the site following an acquisition in 2008, Reference.com comp ...

, an online reference source *''

Sense and reference In the philosophy of language, the distinction between sense and reference was an idea of the German philosopher and mathematician Gottlob Frege in 1892 (in his paper "On Sense and Reference"; German: "Über Sinn und Bedeutung"), reflecting the ...

'' (''Bedeutung'') or ''Reference'', Frege's term for that which an expression designates

See also