[Preston]

What exactly is a pointer domain and how do you get one?

It's my understanding that it's a domain name that redirects to another site. Such as w.abcsite.c redirects to w.abcd.c, but anyone who types in either address will get to abcd.com - is that right?

Also, what is the difference between purchasing a domain name and registering one?

Thank you!:

[pgo]

Purchasing/registering is the same thing. You pay to register it at a site like GoDaddy or something.

I've never heard the term "pointer domain" but a domain redirect happens at the registrar (like GoDaddy). You'd have to ask your particular registrar how that's done on their system. It's a simple 1 step process in GoDaddy's control panel.

[andyf]

Pointer domain and redirect are one and same, which are used to redirect traffic a a certain domain.
IMO Purchasing a domain name is similar as registering but the word "purchasing" of domain can be taken in different way.
Generally you don't register but just purchase domain at few domain reselling sites or from webmaster and after it's expiry you just renew them, registration of such reselling domains are already done.

[hostinggang]

A pointer domain or redirect domain is a normal domain, just setup to reference another domain. If it's done at the domain level, it's done using CNAME records. This way the DNS record specifies that domain a.test.com can point to the same location as b.test.com, without needing to know where b.test.com points to.

But the previous statements about purchasing the domain just like any other is true, there's really no difference between the domains. Just make sure that your registra or whereever your DNS records are stored support CNAME records (which I'm sure they will, a registra would have to be well behind the times to not).