codepoint

This term is a technical specialization used primarily in computer science and linguistics to describe the mapping between a numerical index and a character. It is distinct from a glyph, which refers to the actual visual representation of that character on a screen or page. A single codepoint may have multiple glyphs depending on the font used, and conversely, some complex characters may be composed of multiple codepoints.

In professional technical documentation, the term is almost exclusively associated with the Unicode Standard. It is used in a precise, neutral register and does not carry emotional connotation. Users should avoid confusing it with "character" in casual conversation, as "character" is a broader term that encompasses the abstract concept, while "codepoint" refers specifically to the numeric identifier.