self-terminating software

noun
UK /ˌself ˈtɜːmɪneɪtɪŋ ˈsɒftweə/
US /ˌself ˈtɜːrmɪneɪtɪŋ ˈsɔːftwer/

Software that stops itself when it finishes its job or when something goes wrong.

The self-terminating software shut down automatically after the backup was complete.

SYNONYMS

self-stopping programauto-exiting softwareself-closing applicationself-shutting software

RELATED WORDS

auto-shutdownexit routinewatchdog timercrash handlercleanup script

OTHER MEANINGS

2. Software designed to delete itself after running once.

The installer was self-terminating software that removed itself after setup.

3. A program that ends its own process when a set time limit is reached.

The trial version is self-terminating software that stops working after thirty days.

4. Software that shuts down safely when it detects a serious error.

Thanks to its self-terminating software, the system avoided damage during the power surge.