autorepeated

Autorepeated is an adjective used to describe anything that repeats automatically after initiation without ongoing input. In computing and human-computer interaction, autorepeat most commonly refers to the repeated emission of the same input when a control is held down. For example, many keyboards implement an autorepeat function: after an initial delay, pressing and holding a key causes the corresponding character to be produced repeatedly at a configurable rate until the key is released. Settings typically include an initial delay (the time before first repetition) and a repeat rate (how many characters or actions occur per second).

Beyond keyboards, autorepeat describes any mechanism that schedules or generates repeated events without further user action. In programming, a timer or a loop may be configured to fire repeatedly, creating an autorepeated sequence of callbacks or messages. In user interfaces, autorepeat is often implemented with safeguards such as a minimum delay or a way to abort, because unintended repetition can cause errors or poor accessibility.

Advantages of autorepeat include efficiency and responsiveness in text editing and navigation; drawbacks include accidental inputs and increased error rates if the rate is too high or the initial delay too short. Good design allows users to customize the behavior or disable it entirely, and provides clear feedback when repetition occurs.

Etymology and usage: the term combines auto- meaning self and repeat; it is used mainly in technical contexts, software settings, and documentation to describe auto-generated repetition behavior. See also: key repeat, hold-to-repeat, long press.