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)