runtime
8 synonyms and 2 antonyms for runtime, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The period during which a program is actually running, as opposed to the time when it is being written or prepared.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
The period during which a program is actually running, as opposed to the time when it is being written or prepared.
“The value is not known until runtime, because it depends on what the user types.”
Opposites
2. noun computing
The supporting software that a program needs present on a machine in order to run, providing services such as memory management and access to the operating system.
“The application will not start unless the runtime is installed.”
3. noun
The length of time a task, film or process takes from start to finish.
“The report has a runtime of about forty minutes on the older server.”
How to Use Runtime
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Technical; also written as two words, run time, especially in the sense of duration.
Etymology
A compound of run and time, originally written as two words in computing and later closed up.
Full origin of runtime →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between runtime and compile time?
Compile time is when your code is being translated and checked before it runs, so mistakes such as bad syntax are caught then. Runtime is when the finished program is actually executing, so problems that depend on real data, files or user input appear at that point instead.
What is a runtime error?
It is a failure that happens while a program is running rather than while it is being built, such as trying to open a file that is not there or dividing by zero. The program may stop, or handle the problem if it was written to expect it.
Is a runtime the same as a framework?
No. A runtime provides the basic machinery a program needs to execute, while a framework is a set of code and conventions you build your own application inside. A framework normally runs on top of a runtime.