countdown algorithm

A countdown algorithm is a process that gradually reduces a value over time or through steps until it reaches zero. Think of it like a timer that starts with a set number—say, 10—and counts down by one each second until it hits zero, signaling an event or completion. In computing, countdown algorithms can be programmed to decrement counters or variables in a controlled way, often to trigger actions, manage wait times, or control sequences in software systems. They're useful whenever a process needs to proceed only after a certain amount of time or steps have elapsed.