pointerfile

noun

UK /ˈpɔɪntəfaɪl/

US /ˈpɔɪntərfaɪl/

A pointerfile is a small file that tells a computer where to find something else.

The program opened the pointerfile to find the pictures stored on another drive.

SYNONYMS

shortcut link file reference file alias redirect file

RELATED WORDS

shortcut symlink path directory file system

OTHER MEANINGS

2. A file containing only a path or address that points to another file or folder.

Instead of copying the huge video, she saved a pointerfile that led to it.

3. A small marker file used by software to remember the location of a resource.

The game reads a pointerfile to know where its saved data lives.

4. A text file whose contents are a single reference used by a script.

The backup script reads the pointerfile to locate the archive.