Run Loop

Definitions

1. An event-processing loop (particularly Apple's CFRunLoop/NSRunLoop) that waits for and dispatches input sources, timers, and observers on a thread. The main run loop drives UI event handling on iOS/macOS; it sleeps when idle and wakes to process events, keeping the thread alive without busy-waiting.

   In plain English: A waiting loop that keeps a program alive and ready to respond to events like user taps or timer expirations.

   Example: "The animation stutters because your network callback is blocking the main run loop — move it to a background queue."

Related Terms

• asyncio
• CocoaPods
• Delegate
• Native App
• NSObject
• Retain Cycle
• Non-Blocking IO
• Size Class
• XPC