A data type that is represented by a reference (similar to a pointer) to the type's actual value. If a reference type is assigned to a variable, that variable references (or "points to") the original value. No copy is made. Reference types comprise classes, interfaces, delegates, and boxed value types. See also: value type.

a class type, an interface type, an array type, or a delegate type

a duple in which the named instance is a handle holding either null or the address of an unnamed object allocated on the managed heap

an object that exists on the heap

a type which has as its value a reference to the appropriate data rather than the data itself

a type whose value representation resides in the heap

A data type. A variable declared as a reference type point to a location where data is stored. For more information, see Reference Types.

Refers to the kind of reference you assign to a shipment. For example, you might reserve reference 1000 through 9999 to track your purchase orders. In this case, the reference type would be Purchase Order.

Any object or array. Reference types are manipulated, assigned, and passed to methods "by reference." In other words, the underlying value is not copied; only a reference to it is. See also primitive type.

In Java, these are types whose values are ultimately constructed from primitive types either through class definitions, interface definitions or the use of arrays.

A reference type includes the names of interfaces and classes (either declared in the standard Java library or by a programmer).

Type where the value of a variable/expression of that type is a reference to an object rather than the object itself.