volatile variable
<programming> A variable in a computer program which can be modified by
processes other than the program. For example, a variable that stores the value
of a timer chip (either because it is located at the address of the hardware
device or because it is updated on interrupts) needs to be volatile to be
useful.
A static variable, on the other hand, maintains its value until the program
changes it or it is no longer needed. In addition, volatile variables can be
held in the stack whereas static variables are usually stored in a program's
data segment.
(1995-05-17)
Nearby terms:
volatile « volatile memory « volatile storage «
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