goto

1 definition found

goto - Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (26 May 2007) :

  goto
  
     <programming> (Or "GOTO", "go to", "GO TO", "JUMP", "JMP") A
     construct and keyword found in several higher-level
     programming languages (e.g. Fortran, COBOL, BASIC, C)
     to cause an unconditional jump or transfer of control from
     one point in a program to another.  The destination of the
     jump is usually indicated by a label.
  
     In some languages, a label is a line number, in which case
     every statement may be labelled, in others a label is an
     optional alphanumeric identifier.  In any case, the
     destination label usually follows the GOTO keyword.
  
     Use of the GOTO instruction in high level language
     programming fell into disrepute with the development and
     general acceptance of structured programming, and especially
     following the famous article "GOTO statement considered harmful
     ".  Since a GOTO is effectively an assignment to the
     program counter, it is tempting to make the generalisation
     "assignment considered harmful" and indeed, this is the basis
     of functional programming.
  
     Nearly(?) all machine language instruction sets include a
     GOTO instruction, though in this context it is usually called
     branch or jump or some mnemonic based on these.
  
     See also COME FROM.
  
     (2000-12-13)