(computing) A piece of software that implements a specification of requirements and whose main purpose is to help in the creation of other software implementations of the specification by serving as a point of reference rather than being put to directly productive use.

A book providing factual information. / (libraries) A book that can be consulted in the library but cannot be borrowed.

plural of reference book

plural of point of reference

plural of reference point

plural of back-reference

A statement concerning the character of a person, typically for submission during a job application or court proceeding.

plural of grid reference

The point or area on a map described by the numbers or letters indicated.

(computing) The technique of storing the number of handles, pointers, or references to a resource such as a block of memory, disk space, or an object, so that the system can determine when the resource is no longer in use.