Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Busy spin
In software engineering, a busy spin is a process looping while continually rechecking for a condition (thus, "busy" for the continual checking, "spin" for the looping).
This is generally considered poor practice, as it eats up processor time, and is a particular concern in multi-tasking or multi-user environments. However, spinning can be a valid strategy in certain special circumstances, most notably in the implementation of spinlocks within operating systems themselves.
Alternatives include event-driven programming and signals.
Busy spin is an example of an anti-pattern.
Last updated: 05-23-2005 08:09:59
10-26-2009 08:16:03
The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details
The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details