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Dictionary and Thesaurus entries for:

cycle

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cycle [n]
 
1)an interval during which a recurring sequence of events occurs; "the neverending cycle of the seasons"
    Synonyms :rhythm round 
    See Also: interval  phase 
 
2)a series of poems or songs on the same theme; "schubert's song cycles"
    Synonyms :
    See Also: series 
 
3)a periodically repeated sequence of events; "a cycle of reprisal and retaliation"
    Synonyms :
    See Also: repeat  merry-go-round  samsara 
 
4)the unit of frequency; one Hertz has a periodic interval of one second
    Synonyms :cps cycle_per_second cycles/second hertz hz 
    See Also: rate  kc 
 
5)a single complete execution of a periodically repeated phenomenon; "a year constitutes a cycle of the seasons"
    Synonyms :oscillation 
    See Also: periodic_event  oscillate  cardiac_cycle  carnot's_ideal_cycle  pass  menstrual_cycle 
 
6)a wheeled vehicle that has two wheels and is moved by foot pedals
    Synonyms :bicycle bike wheel 
    See Also: wheeled_vehicle  bicycle  bicycle-built-for-two  bicycle_seat  bicycle_wheel  chain  coaster_brake  handlebar  all-terrain_bike  mudguard  ordinary  foot_lever  push-bike  safety_bicycle  sprocket  velocipede 
 
cycle [v]
 
1)cause to go through a recurring sequence; "cycle thge laundry in this washing program"
    Synonyms :
    See Also: make_pass  recycle 
 
2)pass through a cycle; "This machine automatically cycles"
    Synonyms :
    See Also: go_across  cycle_on 
 
3)ride a motorcycle
    Synonyms :motorcycle 
    See Also: ride  kick  cycling  motorcycling  bike 
 
4)ride a bicycle
    Synonyms :bicycle bike pedal wheel 
    See Also: ride  wheel  bicycler  foot_lever  pedaler  bike  bicycle  cycling  backpedal 
 
5)recur in repeating sequences
    Synonyms :
    See Also: recur 
 

From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing: (http://www.foldoc.org/, Editor Denis Howe)

A basic unit of computation, one period of a computer clock.

Each instruction takes a number of clock cycles. Often the computer can access its memory once on every clock cycle, and so one speaks also of "memory cycles".

Every hacker wants more cycles (noted hacker Bill Gosper describes himself as a "cycle junkie"). There are only so many cycles per second, and when you are sharing a computer the cycles get divided up among the users. The more cycles the computer spends working on your program rather than someone else's, the faster your program will run. That's why every hacker wants more cycles: so he can spend less time waiting for the computer to respond.

The use of the term "cycle" for a computer clock period can probably be traced back to the rotation of a generator generating alternating current though computers generally use a clock signal which is more like a square wave. Interestingly, the earliest mechanical calculators, e.g. Babbage's Difference Engine, really did have parts which rotated in true cycles.

[Jargon File]

(1997-09-30)








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