timeout

views updated May 11 2018

timeout A condition that occurs when a process which is waiting for either an external event or the expiry of a preset time interval reaches the end of the time interval before the external event is detected. For example, if the process has sent a message and no acknowledgment has been detected at the end of the preset time period, then the process may take appropriate action, such as retransmitting the message.

The word is also used as a verb.

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