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Software Engineering vocabulary · Programming Concepts

Runtime

Meaning in software engineering, with examples

/ˈrʌntaɪm/nounCommon term

In software engineering, runtime means: The time when a program is actually running, as opposed to when it is written or compiled. Also the software environment that runs the code, such as Node.js.

In Turkish: çalışma zamanı, çalışma ortamı

How it is used

A 'runtime error' happens while the program runs, not at compile time. People say 'at runtime', 'runtime performance' and 'runtime dependency'. For the environment: 'Which Node runtime are you on?' Sometimes written 'run time' or 'run-time'.

Example sentences

  1. TypeScript checks types at compile time, but the data from the API is only known at runtime.

  2. We upgraded the Lambda runtime from Node 18 to Node 20.

Common collocations

  • at runtime
  • runtime error
  • runtime environment
  • compile time vs runtime
  • compileTo turn source code written by people into code that a computer can run, using a program called a compiler.
  • exceptionAn error event that interrupts the normal flow of a program. The code can catch and handle it, or it can make the program crash.
  • crashTo stop working suddenly because of an error, so that the program closes or stops responding. Also a noun: 'a crash'.
  • dependencyA library, service or other piece of software that your code needs in order to work, so a change or failure in it can affect your project.

More terms: Programming Concepts

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