Runtime System

What Does Runtime System Mean?

A runtime system refers to the collection of software and hardware resources that enable a software program to be executed on a computer system. The runtime system is a composite mechanism designed to provide program execution services, regardless of the programming language being used.

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Techopedia Explains Runtime System

A runtime system is primarily created by the programming language in the way it presents the programming architecture that’s native to the program. Typically, a runtime system provides both low level and high level commands, interfacing with both the primary software framework/library and the underlying hardware instructions set architecture (ISA). The low-level functions provided by a runtime system include processor interfacing, memory loading and digital-to-binary conversion, among others. The higher level functions include type checking, code generation, and debugging and optimization services.

Java Runtime Environment, for example, is a type of runtime system that provides the complete framework for executing and managing Java programs.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse 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 explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…