Handles are essentially integer indexes, relative to a base pointer, also implying a certain object size (needed for index multiplication). A nice property ther

Handles are essentially integer indexes, relative to a base pointer, also implying a certain object size (needed for index multiplication). A nice property therefore is that the base pointer can be different each time the program is started, but the handle stays constant. So in case that module-private array is mmapped to disk, handles themselves can be serialised, unlike pointers. This can enable quick and easy storage of most of the program state, allowing for a fast recovery afterwards.