maxdt0

Maxdt0 is a variable name used in software projects to denote an upper bound on the time step (delta time) with an emphasis on an initial or base value. There is no universal definition or standard; its exact meaning depends on the codebase or documentation. In many contexts, dt represents the elapsed time since the previous frame or simulation update, and maxdt0 acts as a cap to prevent excessively large steps that could destabilize numeric integration or cause motion artifacts.

In game engines, physics simulations, and real-time graphics, capping the time step helps maintain deterministic behavior and stability when frame rates fluctuate. A common pattern is to clamp the actual delta time to a maximum permitted value: dt = min(actual_dt, maxdt0). The parameter may be set as a constant, read from configuration, or adjusted dynamically during runtime. In some projects, maxdt0 is used as the initial maximum step (for frame 0) and may be updated afterwards; in others it strictly refers to the first-step bound.

Typical values vary with application, but common ranges include fractions of a second such as 0.01 to 0.033 seconds, with smaller values used for high-frequency simulations and larger values for more tolerant rendering.

Because the naming and role of maxdt0 are not standardized, developers should consult project-specific documentation or source code to understand its intended use in a given context. See also delta time, timestep, fixed timestep, and numerical stability.