single-step operation

single-step operation

[′siŋ·gəl ¦step ‚äp·ə′rā·shən] (computer science) A method of computer operation, used in debugging or detecting computer malfunctions, in which a program is carried out one instruction at a time, each instruction being performed in response to a manual control device such as a switch or button. Also known as one-shot operation; one-step operation; single-shot operation; step-by-step operation.