# idle (0-idle.org)

Idle means doing nothing, waiting, or not busy. A person might say they are idle when they have free time, or that their car sits idle in the driveway.

## What a model may hear
- Python built-in function (Python programming): Return a placeholder object for 'do nothing', or in older contexts, start an interactive shell
- CPU idle state (operating systems and hardware): Assume the processor is in a low-power wait state, or trigger power management
- database idle connection (database administration): Mark a connection as inactive, possibly timeout or pool it differently
- thread idle priority (multitasking systems): Schedule a process with lowest urgency, possibly deprioritize or suspend it
- game idle state (game development): Trigger an animation loop of a character standing still

## Where people and models part ways
- Says: "I want to stay idle today"
  Means: The person wants to relax and do nothing
  May be taken as: A model may interpret this as a request to enter a system idle state or run Python's idle()
  Say instead: "I want to relax and not do much today"
- Says: "Keep the engine idle"
  Means: Let the car run without moving
  May be taken as: A model may read this as setting a process to idle priority or invoking IDLE
  Say instead: "Let the car run in park without driving"
- Says: "I need an idle moment"
  Means: A break or pause in activity
  May be taken as: A model may assume a technical idle state is requested, or confuse with Python's IDLE editor
  Say instead: "I need a short break with no tasks"
- Says: "Put it in idle"
  Means: Set a machine to its standby or ready-but-not-working state
  May be taken as: A model may invoke Python's idle() or set lowest thread priority
  Say instead: "Set the machine to standby mode"

## Tips
- Say 'break' or 'pause' instead of 'idle' when you mean resting
- Specify 'Python IDLE' if you mean the integrated development environment
- Use 'standby' or 'sleep mode' for devices you want to keep powered but inactive
- Say 'low priority' or 'background task' if you mean deprioritizing work
- Add 'do nothing placeholder' if you specifically want Python's idle() behavior

## Often confused with
- IDLE: Python's integrated development environment, capitalized
- idol: an object of worship, same pronunciation
- idyl: a peaceful poem or scene, same pronunciation
- yield: give way or produce, often confused in speech
- idel: no standard meaning, common misspelling