Native (computing): Difference between revisions

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{{see also|Native and format}}

{{Short description|Software designedthat tooperates rundirectly onin a particulargiven operating 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.

'''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 may be runnable on another platform via an [[emulator]].

== Native software ==

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

ForNative example,software games for ais [[Gamesoftware Boybuild|built]] (typicallyto distributed as abe [[ROMExecution cartridge(computing)|cartridgeexecuted]]), generallydirectly runby natively[[Processor on(computing)|processors]] athat Gameimplement Boya whichcompatible is[[instruction relatively incompatible with other computer platformsset]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=httphttps://wwwsearchapparchitecture.computinghistorytechtarget.org.ukcom/detdefinition/4033/Nintendonative-Game-Boy/code|title=NintendoWhat Gameis Boynative - Game Consolecode? - ComputingDefinition Historyfrom WhatIs.com|website=www.computinghistory.org.ukSearchAppArchitecture|language=en|access-date=2019-11-22}}</ref> ToA runprogram suchthat aruns gamenatively on anotherone processorplatform is viarunnable softwareon thatanother emulatesplatform thevia Gamean Boy[[emulator]] hardware.<ref>{{Citeif web|url=https://www.howtogeek.com/347530/the-importance-of-emulation-for-games-preservation/|title=Whyan Areemulator Videois Gameavailable Emulatorsand, So Important? (Because They Preserve Our History)|last=Pot|first=Justin|website=How-To Geek|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-22}}</ref> In generalgenerally, emulation incurswith 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

|website=MakeUseOf|language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-22}}</ref> For example, games for a [[Game Boy]] (typically distributed as a [[ROM cartridge|cartridge]]), generally run natively on a 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> To run such a game on another processor, software that emulates the Game Boy hardware is required.<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>

|website=MakeUseOf|language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-22}}</ref>

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

== Applications ==

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]].

== OperatingNative systemsAPI ==

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]].

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 codeVM ==

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.

{{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>

== 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==