token
1. <grammar> A basic, grammatically indivisible unit of a language such
as a keyword, operator or identifier. Compare: lexeme.
2. <convention> (Or "pumpkin") An abstact concept passed between
cooperating agents to ensure synchronised access to a shared resource. Such a
token is never duplicated or destroyed (unless the resource is) and whoever has
the token has exclusive access to the resource it controls. See for example
token ring.
If several programmers are working on a program, one programmer will "have the
token" at any time, meaning that only he can change the program whereas others
can only read it. If someone else wants to modify it he must first obtain the
token.
(1999-02-23)
Nearby terms:
toeprint « toggle « TOK « token » token bus »
token ring » Tom Knight
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