A loop of code thAT executes without releasing any resources to other programs or the operATing system. Consider the following pointless BASIC loop thAT counts upward indefinitely 10 i = i + 1 20 GOTO 10 Run on a single-user system such as MS-DOS this will not cause any problems. Run on a cooperATive multitasking operATing system such as Windows 3, the system would appear to freeze. A pre-emptive multitasking operATing system such as UNIX or Windows NT would "steal" cycles away from the program and continue to run other programs. See also busy-wait and multitasking. (1999-05-06)