Timeout

In telecommunication and related engineering (including computer networking and programming), the term timeout or time-out has several meanings, not very unlike those of a sporting-oriented time-out:

• A network parameter related to an enforced event designed to occur at the conclusion of a predetermined elapsed time.
• A specified period of time that will be allowed to elapse in a system before a specified event is to take place, unless another specified event occurs first; in either case, the period is terminated when either event takes place. Note: A timeout condition can be canceled by the receipt of an appropriate time-out cancellation signal.
• An event that occurs at the end of a predetermined period of time that began at the occurrence of another specified event. The timeout can be prevented by an appropriate signal.

Timeout allows a more efficient usage of limited resources without requiring additional interaction from the agent interested in the goods that cause the consumption of these resources.

Other examples are:

• In HTTP persistent connections, the web server saves opened connections (which consume CPU time and computer memory space). The web client does not have to send an "end of requests series" signal.
• In a timed light switch, both energy and lamp's life-span are saved. The user does not have to switch off manually.
• In an electronic text-based customer relationship management software tool, the threads can be auto-closed in a timed base, allowing the workers save browse time. The customer does not have to send an "I'm done" signal.
• In Hide Find Bar extension for Mozilla Firefox, screen space is saved. The user does not have to click on the hide button, nor focus the find bar and press the Escape key.

See also

• Permanent signal
• Human-Machine Interaction

Sources

• Federal Standard 1037C
• MIL-STD-188

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