quit

QUIT is a term used to denote the act of leaving, stopping, or terminating a process, session, or activity. In computing, QUIT is commonly encountered as a command or keyword that signals the end of an interaction or program execution. The concept is related to other termination terms such as EXIT or CLOSE, with usage varying by system or context.

In network protocols and many interactive interfaces, QUIT is defined as a command that cleanly closes the associated connection or session. For example, File Transfer Protocol (FTP) uses QUIT to terminate the control connection; mail protocols such as SMTP and POP3 use QUIT to end a session; in a command-line or database client, QUIT or EXIT often serves the same purpose to leave the environment.

Outside computing, quit is the ordinary English verb meaning to stop doing something, to resign from a job, or to abandon a habit or activity. The word appears in phrases such as quit smoking or quit a job, and can be used as a transitive or intransitive verb depending on the construction.

Variations include quit, quits, quitting, and Quit as a proper noun or command name in some programs. The exact syntax, case sensitivity, and availability of QUIT depend on the software or protocol in question.