close

To cease to use an open entity. In programming, closing something releases control of it and deallocates any resources that it used. For example, when you close a database cursor, you release any memory or disk space that was used to hold the active set for that cursor. When you close a file, you tell the system that you no longer require the file and others can use it. When you close a form, you release any memory or disk used to store it. When you close a 4GL window, you deallocate memory for the image of the window and pop it from the window stack. Typically things cannot be closed until they have been opened.

See also 4GL window, close, cursor, file, open, screen form.