goto

    (Or "GOTO", "go to", "GO TO", "JUMP", "JMP") A
   construct and keyword found in several higher-level
   programming languages (e.g. Fortran, COBOL, BASIC, C)
   to cause an unconditional jump or transfer of control from
   one point in a program to another.  The destination of the
   jump is usually indicated by a label following the GOTO
   keyword.

   In some languages, a label is a line number, in which case
   every statement may be labelled, in others a label is an
   optional alphanumeric identifier.

   Use of the GOTO instruction in high level language
   programming fell into disrepute with the development and
   general acceptance of structured programming, and especially
   following the famous article "GOTO statement considered
   harmful".  Since a GOTO is effectively an assignment to the
   program counter, it is tempting to make the generalisation
   "assignment considered harmful" and indeed, this is the basis
   of functional programming.

   Nearly(?) all machine language instruction sets include a
   GOTO instruction, though in this context it is usually called
   branch or jump or some mnemonic based on these.

   See also COME FROM.

   (2000-12-13)