runtime version

runtime version

(1) A particular version of a runtime library.

(2) Software that enables a program to execute without requiring that the entire development environment be installed. For example, a photo editor application is used to download images from a digital camera, edit them and organize them into albums and slide shows. Such a program may include a runtime version of the slide show display routine (the slide show player) that can be freely burned onto the same CD with the images and given out to family and friends. The player does nothing more than run the slide show and does not allow any images to be edited.

Runtime Version Examples
Adobe Reader (Acrobat Reader) is a runtime version of the full Acrobat product. It lets users view PDF files, but cannot be used to create or edit them.

Another example is a database management system (DBMS) that includes a programming language for developing applications. If the language is interpreted, the DBMS must be installed in the computer that runs the application. A runtime version of that DBMS would allow the developer to write the application and give it to customers that never purchased the DBMS. The runtime version would provide only the language interpreter and could be freely packaged with the application. It would cause the application to run, but not include any of the many additional features that the full-blown DBMS would have. See interpreter, runtime engine, runtime environment, runtime library and runtime error.