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 programmimg}, 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 set}s 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}.
(1995-04-17)