haltingalgorithm

noun

UK /ˈhɔːltɪŋ ˈælɡərɪðəm/

US /ˈhɔːltɪŋ ˈælɡərɪðəm/

A set of steps that always stops after a while instead of going on forever.

The teacher explained that a haltingalgorithm must finish its work and not loop endlessly.

SYNONYMS

terminating procedure finite algorithm decidable process convergent routine

RELATED WORDS

computation termination loop decidability program

OTHER MEANINGS

2. A procedure in computer science that is guaranteed to reach an answer in a limited number of steps.

Researchers proved the sorting method is a haltingalgorithm for every possible input.

3. A step-by-step plan that is known to end rather than repeat without stopping.

Before trusting the robot, they checked that its navigation plan was a haltingalgorithm.

4. A mathematical process whose stopping behavior can be proven in advance.

The proof showed the puzzle solver is a haltingalgorithm, so it never gets stuck.