The Computer Dictionary

Queue

A queue, pronounced like the letter "Q", is the list of tasks or jobs a software program has lined up to perform. For an example, a printer may have a list of pages to be printed. These pages are in a queue, in order awaiting to be done. One page being printed at a time, the printer works its way down the queue in performing its job.

Most computer programs work with queues as a way of bringing order to multiple tasks that must be done. In another example, a processor will complete one computation before it begins the next computation in the queue.

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