Native (computing): Difference between revisions

Revision as of 20:14, 27 April 2025

Revision as of 20:24, 27 April 2025

Line 2:

{{Short description|Software designed to run on a particular operating system}}

{{Original research|date=February 2023}}

'''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]].

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

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

|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> In general, emulation incurs 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

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

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> In general, emulation incurs 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>

== Applications ==

Something running on aAn [[computerapplication software|application]] natively means that it is running withoutnatively anyuses externalthe layerminimal requiringnumber fewerof software layers. 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]].

== Operating systems ==