Native (computing): Difference between revisions

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{{see also|Native and format}}

{{Context|date=February 2016}}

{{Short description|Software that operates directly in a given context}}

{{ContextOriginal research|date=February 20162023}}

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

== Native software ==

In [[computing]], '''Native''' software or data-formats are those that were designed to run on that [[operating system]]. For example, a [[Game Boy]] receives its software through a [[Cartridge (electronic)|cartridge]]{{disambiguation needed|date=November 2019}} and on this cartridge, is the 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> 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> The only way to run this code on another processor is to use an [[emulator]], tricking the program into thinking it's using that same processor.<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]] (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>

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 [[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 designate the lowest level of virtualization or the absence of virtualization. For instance the term “Native VM” is used to ensure reference to the lowest level operating system, the one that actually maintains direct control of the hardware when multiple levels of virtualization occur.

== 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|Machine Code]], also known as native code, is a program which is written in machine language. Machine code compromises of [[hexadecimal]] or [[Binary number|binary]] instructions.<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 than 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 [[Java (programming language)|Java]], which gets gets translated into [[Assembly language|assembly code]], which than translates it into machine code. 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&pg=PA365&lpg=PA365&dq=Programs+must+be+rewritten+or+recompiled,+therefore,+to+run+on+different+types+of+computers.&source=bl&ots=rdcQxQuyq_&sig=ACfU3U2f8O7PoqpvrXOfdA7eCZl6i_Iqpw&hl=en&ppis=_e&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjDwMjhvv_lAhVMeawKHVghDQcQ6AEwAHoECAYQAQ#v=onepage&q=Programs%20must%20be%20rewritten%20or%20recompiled,%20therefore,%20to%20run%20on%20different%20types%20of%20computers.&f=false|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 ==

A native [[virtual machine]] (VM) runs directly on hardware; without virtualization or virtualization at its lowest level. For example, with multiple levels of virtualization, the lowest level operating system {{endash}} the one that actually maintains direct control of the hardware {{endash}} is referred to as a "Native VM".

== 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.

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 Native ==

'''Cloud native''' refers to the approach of building, deploying, and managing applications in cloud computing environments {{endash}} for software optimized for running on a cloud-based platform.

==References==

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[[Category:Computer jargon]]

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