What is Runtime?

Category: Programming

1Definition

The period when a program is executing, or the environment that provides services to a running program.

2Context

Different from compile time. The JavaScript runtime, Java Virtual Machine, and Python interpreter are examples.

3Example

A 'runtime error' crashes the program while it's running, unlike a syntax error caught before execution.

⚠Common Trap

Runtime doesn't mean how long code runs—it's when code runs, as opposed to when it's written or compiled.

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