Computing Dictionary
tight loop definition
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)
