In this article, you will be looking at what a runtime is and the other things around a runtime.
Table of Content
- What is runtime?
- How does runtime work?
- Runtime phase?
- Why do we need a runtime environment?
- What are run-time errors?
- Why do we need a runtime environment?
- Example of runtime?
What is runtime?
A runtime is a system in which a program runs at different phases.When a program runs, it follows instructions to perform the intended actions.
Runtime, in software development, is the time when a program is actively running.
In software development, “runtime” refers to the environment where a program runs.
The runtime environment consists of the operating system and linked code libraries. It is the time when a program is running. This is different from compile time, when the program is being compiled.
It is a standardized library and wrapper for a program written in a given language. It creates a standardized environment for the program and provides its interface.
How does runtime work?
When a user starts a program, a loader runs. It allocates memory. It links the program with the necessary libraries. Then it begins execution.
Runtime is a stage of the programming lifecycle.
While running, a program has all the needed external instructions for proper execution.
Your code is a code. A computer executes your writing in any language.
A running application interacts with the runtime environment through a runtime system.
For example, let’s say your application is written in JavaScript. JavaScript is a high-level language whose high-level runtime environment is Node.js. Node comes with fancy features like a callback queue, an event loop, and a thread pool.
As a runtime environment, Node itself has its own runtime environment. When you download the Node binary for Linux, you’ll discover it’s an ELF executable that the OS is ready to run.
JavaScript’s runtime environment is Node, and Node’s runtime environment is the operating system.
Runtime phase?
Runtime is the final phase of the program lifecycle in which the machine executes the program’s code.
When a program runs or code executes, there are specific sections with commands and corresponding time periods.
In a programming lifecycle, the runtime is the final phase of execution.
- Edit time
When the source code of the program is being edited. This phase includes bug fixing, refactoring, and adding new features.Editing time is when you modify the program’s code. This involves fixing bugs, refactoring, and making other changes. - Compile time
A compiler translates the source code into machine code, producing an executable.Compile-time is when the code gets compiled and translated into a simpler programming language. - Link time
When a program’s code components, like external libraries, are linked, the compiler (static linking) or the operating system (dynamic linking) can make the connections.Link time is the phase in programming when the linker is active. It happens after the code compilation is finished. - Distribution time
Most of the time, users download a program from the internet as an executable or source code. It can also be distributed using a CD or USB drive.It is basically a process of transferring a copy of the code that is executed in the program. - Installation time
When the distributed program is being installed on the user’s computer. The time at which the program is executable is known as the installation time. - Load time
When the operating system puts the executable in active memory, it reads the program’s contents before running it during the loading time.
Why do we need a runtime environment?
- Every day, we use different computer programs for tasks such as photo editing, word processing, calculations, programming, and video editing.
- It’s expected that these programs run as fast and smoothly as possible under a variety of conditions.
- Operating systems can vary significantly, and even the same OS has many versions. Developers need to adapt programs to each OS by using runtime environments.
So, a runtime environment provides the following advantages:
- Cross-platform functionality: Applications can work across platforms, making development simpler as the program doesn’t require adaptation for different operating systems (OS).
- Identical user interfaces: This allows programs to have the same user interfaces whether they’re run on Windows, macOS, or Linux.
- Conservation of resources: This allows similar applications to use the same runtime environments and share common components.
What are runtime errors?
These errors can take different forms, including runtime errors. A runtime error is nothing but a glitch in the program or code during the process of execution. If a program experiences an error after it has been executed, it will report back a runtime error.
Programs may encounter errors like division by zero, domain errors, and arithmetic underflow. The runtime environment is broadly defined as the environment where the program executes.
A runtime environment includes the operating system (OS), hardware, and memory. Runtime environments are commonly used in IT operations rather than application development. Some programming languages have built-in exception handling to manage any runtime errors in the code.
Exception handling can catch both expected and unexpected errors without requiring a lot of manual error checking. The presence of a runtime error can be detected if the program runs slowly or if the software crashes.Various factors can cause these errors.
- Coding error: Bugs in the program are typically the cause of this.Even a manual error can result in the crash of the program. A bug in the software can cause a runtime error.
- Leakage of resources: When a program is executed, it needs to be compiled, and the result must meet expectations. Runtime errors can occur if there’s a lack of available system resources. If a program lacks enough memory to run, it may not work properly. This can lead to the program aborting and displaying an error message. This is called resource leakage, where there’s a shortage of resources during execution.
- Memory leak: A memory leak happens when a programmer forgets to delete a resource that’s no longer needed for execution.
- Buffer overflow: This occurs when code or a program overruns a memory or the code of a nearby memory location.
- Broken dependency. An error can occur if there is a disruption in the connection to another application that the program relies on for execution.
Programmers constantly use the word debugging while they work. Debugging is finding and fixing errors or bugs in a program as it runs.
What is a runtime environment (RTE)?
Certainly, these terms can have varying meanings in different software development contexts, potentially causing confusion.
Using “runtime” as a shorthand for “runtime environment” further complicates the matter. I guess I can say that my confusion is totally justified.
The program executes in a broader environment known as the runtime environment. In a runtime environment, the OS is included, along with hardware and memory. Runtime environments are used more frequently in IT operations as opposed to application development.
Example of runtime?
- Node.js runtime
- android runtime
- edge runtime
- java virtual machine (Jvm)
- Common Language Runtime (CLR)
- Adobe Flash Player
CONCLUSION
In the runtime phase, a program is executed and stays actively running, representing a pivotal stage in its lifecycle. Other stages encompass edit time, compile time, link time, distribution time, installation time, and load time.
Developers test programs in runtime environments (RTE) before launching them into production. This helps identify performance issues and runtime errors.
In many languages, including JavaScript, you can customize runtime errors. You can customize runtime errors in JavaScript by showing a personalized message using the throw statement within a standard error block.
Runtime is a crucial part of software required for program execution, as discussed in this article. It helps programmers identify bugs during program execution.
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