Native (computing): Difference between revisions

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{{see also|Native and foreign format}}

{{Short description|InSoftware computing,that softwareoperates ordirectly data-formats designed to run onin a particular operatinggiven systemcontext}}

{{Original research|date=February 2023}}

'''Native''' describes a computing system as operating directly with an underlying technology; with no intervening communication or translation layers.

In [[computing]], '''native''' software or data-formats are those that were designed to run on a particular [[operating system]]. In a more technical sense, native code is code written specifically for a certain [[Processor (computing)|processor]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://searchapparchitecture.techtarget.com/definition/native-code|title=What is native code? - Definition from WhatIs.com|website=SearchAppArchitecture|language=en|access-date=2019-11-22}}</ref> In contrast, [[cross-platform software]] can be run on multiple operating systems and/or [[Instruction set|computer architecture]]s.

== Native software ==

For example, a [[Game Boy]] receives its software through a [[ROM cartridge|cartridge]], which contains code that runs natively on the Game Boy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/4033/Nintendo-Game-Boy/|title=Nintendo Game Boy - Game Console - Computing History|website=www.computinghistory.org.uk|access-date=2019-11-22}}</ref> The only way to run this code on another processor is to use an [[emulator]], which simulates an actual Game Boy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.howtogeek.com/347530/the-importance-of-emulation-for-games-preservation/|title=Why Are Video Game Emulators So Important? (Because They Preserve Our History)|last=Pot|first=Justin|website=How-To Geek|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-22}}</ref> This usually comes at the cost of speed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-does-emulation-work/|title=How Does Emulation Work and Why Is It So Slow?|website=MakeUseOf|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-22}}</ref>

Native software is [[software build|built]] to be [[Execution (computing)|executed]] directly by [[Processor (computing)|processors]] that implement a compatible [[instruction set]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://searchapparchitecture.techtarget.com/definition/native-code|title=What is native code? - Definition from WhatIs.com|website=SearchAppArchitecture|language=en|access-date=2019-11-22}}</ref> A program that runs natively on one platform is runnable on another platform via an [[emulator]] if an emulator is available and, generally, with significant runtime speed degradation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-does-emulation-work/|title=How Does Emulation Work and Why Is It So S

== Applications ==

|website=MakeUseOf|language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-22}}</ref> For example, games for a [[Game Boy]] receives(typically itsdistributed software throughas a [[ROM cartridge|cartridge]]), whichgenerally contains code that runsrun natively on thea Game Boy which is relatively incompatible with other computer platforms.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/4033/Nintendo-Game-Boy/|title=Nintendo Game Boy - Game Console - Computing History|website=www.computinghistory.org.uk|access-date=2019-11-22}}</ref> TheTo onlyrun waysuch toa run this codegame on another processor, issoftware tothat useemulates anthe [[emulator]],Game whichBoy simulateshardware anis actual Game Boyrequired.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.howtogeek.com/347530/the-importance-of-emulation-for-games-preservation/|title=Why Are Video Game Emulators So Important? (Because They Preserve Our History)|last=Pot|first=Justin|website=How-To Geek|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-22}}</ref> This usually comes at the cost of speed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-does-emulation-work/|title=How Does Emulation Work and Why Is It So Slow?|website=MakeUseOf|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-22}}</ref>

Something running on a [[computer]] natively means that it is running without any external layer requiring fewer software layers. For example, in [[Microsoft Windows]] the [[Native API]] is an [[application programming interface]] specific for the [[Windows NT]] kernel, which can be used to give access to some kernel functions, which cannot be directly accessed through a more universal [[Windows API]].

[[Cross-platform software]] can run on multiple processors although possibly requiring it to be re-built for different target systems.

== Operating systems ==

Used to denote either the absence of virtualization or virtualization at its lowest level. When various levels of virtualization take place, the lowest level operating system—the one that actually maintains direct control of the hardware—is referred to as a "Native VM," for example.

== MachineNative codeAPI ==

SomethingA running on anative [[computerapplication programming interface]] natively(API) meansprovides thatdirect itaccess isto running without any external layer requiring feweran softwareunderlying layerstechnology. For example, inthe [[Microsoft Windows]] the [[Native API]] is an [[application programming interface]] specific for the [[Windows NT]] kernel, which can be used to giveprovides access to some kernel functions, which cannot be directly accessed through athe more universal [[Windows API]].

{{expand section|date=February 2012}}

[[Machine code]], also known as native code, is a program which is written in machine language. Machine code is usually considered the lowest level of code for a computer, that, in its lowest level form, is written in binary (0s and 1s), but is often written in [[hexadecimal]] or [[octal]] to make it a little easier to handle.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://marketbusinessnews.com/financial-glossary/machine-code/|title=What is machine code? Definition and examples|website=Market Business News|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-23}}</ref> These [[Instruction Sets|instruction sets]] are then interpreted by the computer. With this, there is no need for translation. machine code is strictly numerical and usually isn't what programmers program in, due to this complex nature.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://marketbusinessnews.com/financial-glossary/machine-code/|title=What is machine code? Definition and examples|website=Market Business News|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-23}}</ref> Machine code is also as close as you can get to the [[Processor (computing)|processor]], so using this language, you are programming specifically for that processor as machine code for each processor may differ.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.webopedia.com/TERM/M/machine_language.html|title=What is Machine Language? Webopedia Definition|last=Beal|first=Vangie|website=www.webopedia.com|language=en|access-date=2019-11-23}}</ref> Typically [[programmer]]s will code in [[High-level programming language|high-level languages]] such as [[C (programming language)|C]], [[C++]], [[Pascal (programming language)|Pascal]], (or other directly compiled languages) which gets translated into [[Assembly language|assembly code]], which then translates it into machine code (or in most cases the compiler generates machine code directly). Since each [[Central processing unit|CPU]] is different, programs need to be recompiled or rewritten in order to work on that CPU.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b5x_NHo5g2oC&q=Programs+must+be+rewritten+or+recompiled%2C+therefore%2C+to+run+on+different+types+of+computers.&pg=PA365|title=Information Technology in Business|last=Manzoor|first=Amir|date=2012-03-19|publisher=Amir Manzoor|isbn=978-1-4699-9188-7|language=en}}</ref>

== Native VM ==

UsedA tonative denote[[virtual eithermachine]] the(VM) absenceruns ofdirectly on hardware; without virtualization or virtualization at its lowest level. WhenFor variousexample, with multiple levels of virtualization take place, the lowest level operating system—thesystem {{endash}} the one that actually maintains direct control of the hardware—ishardware {{endash}} is referred to as a "Native VM," for example.

== DataNative data ==

{{expand section|date=February 2012}}

Applied to [[data (computing)|data]], native [[data type|data formats]] or [[communication protocol]]s are those supported by a certain [[computer hardware]] or software, with maximal consistency and minimal amount of additional components.

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For example, [[Enhanced Graphics Adapter|EGA]] and [[VGA]] video adapters ''natively'' support [[code page 437]]. This does not preclude supporting other [[code page]]s, but it requires either a [[VGA-compatible text mode#Fonts|font uploading]] or using [[All Points Addressable|graphic modes]].

== Cloud computingNative ==

In cloud computing, "cloud'''Cloud native"''' refers to the software approach of building, deploying, and managing modern applications in cloud computing environments, {{endash}} for software optimisedoptimized for running on a cloud-based platform. A cloud native application typically consists of individual modular microservices.

==References==