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What does "timeout" mean in programming?
timeout is one of the most common terms in software development. This guide explains what it means, how it is used in practice, and why it matters, with real examples from the developer world.
Definition
The maximum time allowed for an operation to complete before it is cancelled. If a server does not respond within the timeout period, the client gives up and returns an error. Timeouts prevent requests from waiting forever.
Example
"Set a reasonable timeout on API calls so the UI does not hang indefinitely."
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