noun
forward reference
Computing term for referencing something defined later in the code or document. Common in programming language specifications and markup languages.
この言語では前方参照が許されていない。
Forward references are not allowed in this language.
XMLでは、前方参照を解決するためにID/IDREFが使われる。
In XML, ID/IDREF is used to resolve forward references.
後方参照 (backward reference) refers to something defined earlier, while 前方参照 refers to something defined later.
Compound of 前方 (forward) and 参照 (reference). A calque from English 'forward reference', used in computing contexts.