Computing Dictionary
run-time library definition
operating system, programming, library A file containing routines which are linked with a program at
run time rather than at
compile-time. The advantage of such
dynamic linking is that only one copy of the library needs to be stored, rather than a copy being included with each
executable that refers to it. This can greatly reduce the disk space occupied by programs. Furthermore, it means that all programs immediately benefit from changes (e.g.
bug fixes) to the single copy of the library without requiring recompilation. Since the library code is normally classified as read-only to the
memory management system, it is possible for a single copy of the library to be loaded into memory and shared by all active programs, thus reducing
RAM and
virtual memory requirements and program load time.
(1997-07-16)
