Goto

1 definition found

From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (27 SEP 03) [foldoc]:

  goto
       
           (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)