Runtime Program

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What Does Runtime Program Mean?

A runtime program is a specific version of an application that is distributed for limited use. These kinds of software releases may be called runtime programs because they offer a runtime environment without other features that allow for more permanent use, such as building executable files.

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Techopedia Explains Runtime Program

A runtime version of a piece of software may be made in order to facilitate free distribution for testing, developer education or other uses. The maker of the software may still demand a license fee or require licensing for these limited versions, but in many cases, runtime programs are distributed freely to specifically designated recipients.

Another use of a runtime program is in order to allow developers to execute programs that are made for a specific application, such as a programming studio. Many think of these types of programs as provisional programs. Those who use a runtime program may need considerable programming skills in order to build aspects of a piece of software from scratch or calibrate a runtime program effectively.

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Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert
Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert

Margaret is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.