Developer Dictionary
Runtime
Definition
The period of time when a program is running.
Deep Dive
Runtime refers to the period during which a computer program is actively executing instructions, from its initiation until its termination. It encompasses all the operations a program performs, including memory allocation, I/O operations, function calls, and error handling. This phase is distinct from "compile-time," where source code is translated into an executable form, and it's where the actual processing of data and user interaction occurs.
Examples & Use Cases
- 1A user launching and interacting with a desktop word processor
- 2The period a video game is played from startup to exit
- 3A web server processing client requests continuously.
Related Terms
Compile-timeExecution EnvironmentDebugging