You are now entering the PC Anatomy portal

A handle is a general term for an abstract identifier or reference to a resource, which can be a user's online name, a file, or a resource managed by the operating system. In programming, it's a value used to access a resource like a file or a block of memory without knowing its direct memory address, allowing the system to manage the underlying details. For example, "handle" can also refer to a public username on social media, such as a Twitter handle, or a unique identifier for a digital object in the Handle System.

Handle types

Programming handle: An abstract reference to a resource like a file, a block of memory, or a window. It is a reference that the operating system or application uses to keep track of the resource. It hides the complex details of the resource's location, allowing the system to move the resource in memory without changing the program's code.

Social media/Internet handle: A public username or pseudonym used to identify a user on a service like X (formerly Twitter). This is a public identifier used for mentions and communication, unlike a private username used for logging in.

Handle System identifier: A unique identifier for a digital object that remains persistent and does not change even if the object's location changes. This system ensures that digital objects can be found over long periods, preventing broken links or "link rot".

Securities handle: In finance, a handle is the whole number portion of a price quote for a stock or currency pair. It is used for quick analysis of the market price.