definition of polling please

[donor]

Can anyone tell me what does polling in computer studies mean?

 

[leosco1995]

In a system between a controlling computer and a number of networked computers, the controlling computer checks each terminal in turn to see if it has any data to receive or send. This is called polling.

 

[Joker101]

and in a polling system the processor asks the sensors whther they have anything to report and the sensors only send data when they are told to. In a polling system the processor is in command!