goto

programming (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 programming, and especially

following the famous article "GOTO statement consideredharmful". 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 sets 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.

(2000-12-13)