tight loop

1 definition found

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

  tight loop
  busy-loop
  
     <programming> A loop of code that executes without releasing
     any resources to other programs or the operating system.
  
     Consider the following pointless BASIC loop that counts
     upward indefinitely
  
      10 i = i + 1
      20 GOTO 10
  
     Run on a single-user system such as MS-DOS this will not
     cause any problems.  Run on a cooperative multitasking
     operating system such as Windows 3, the system would appear
     to freeze.
  
     A pre-emptive multitasking operating system such as
     UNIX or Windows NT would "steal" cycles away from
     the program and continue to run other programs.
  
     See also busy-wait and multitasking.
  
     (1999-05-06)