noun
GOTO
GOH-too
noun
1
In programming, an instruction that jumps execution straight to another labeled point in the code, skipping the normal top-to-bottom flow.
"Overusing goto statements can make code very hard to follow."
verb
1
To jump to a specific point in a program using a goto instruction.
"The old BASIC program would goto line 100 whenever an error occurred."
How to Use GOTO
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA programming command that jumps to another line of code instead of running lines in order.
Memory tip
Modern programming style guides generally discourage goto because it makes code harder to trace.
Trace the full origin ↓Word Forms
GOTOed past tense, GOTOs plural, Gotos plural, GOTOs singular
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Overusing _____ statements can make code very hard to follow.
Etymology
A contraction of the phrase "go to", adopted as a keyword in early programming languages.