2.2.69 HeapRef

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HeapRef is a reference to any HeapItem and is expressed in 31 bits. If the HeapItem (section 2.2.67) referred to is a string, and the most significant bit of the 32-bit HeapStringRef (section 2.2.68) value is set, the reference is actually to an implied dictionary-based string entry and does not point to a literal Encoded-String within the Heap.

 HeapRef = UINT32 / DictionaryReference

If the value of HeapRef is 0xFFFFFFFF, then HeapItem is not present and MUST be considered NULL. If the most significant bit of the 32-bit value is clear, the reference is an offset to a HeapItem in the Heap.