loop

n 1: a metal ring for lining a small hole to permit the

attachment of cords or lines [syn: {cringle}, {eyelet},

{grommet}]

2: anything with a round or oval shape that is closed or nearly

closed [syn: {circuit}]

3: an inner circle of advisors (especially under President

Reagan); "he's no longer in the loop"

4: the basic pattern of the human fingerprint

5: a computer program that performs a series of instructions

repeatedly until some specified condition is satisfied

6: an intrauterine contraceptive device in the shape of a loop

7: a complete electrical circuit around which current flows or

a signal circulates [syn: {closed circuit}] [ant: {open

circuit}]

8: a flight maneuver; aircraft flies a complete circle in the

vertical plane

v 1: move in loops

2: make a loop in, as of rope or string [syn: {intertwine}]

3: fly loops, perform a loop, as of an airplane

4: wind around something in coils or loops [syn: {coil}, {curl}]

[ant: {uncoil}]

5: fasten with a loop

loop

A sequence of {instructions} that the

{processor} repeats, either until some condition is met, or

indefinitely.

In an {structured language} (e.g. {C}, {Pascal}, {BASIC}, or

{Fortran}), a loop is usually achieved with {for loop}, {while

loop} or {repeat loop} constructs.

In other languages these constructs may be synthesised with a

{jump} ({assembly language}) or a {GOTO} (early Fortran or

BASIC).

(1999-05-06)