If you’ve gotten a runtime library error then you might just be wondering what the heck a runtime library is. To understand what a runtime library is, we have to delve just a bit into the world of computing (don’t worry–this is on the simple end of computing).
Compilers and programming languages: two different things that are essential to functional programs.
There is a program known as a compiler which takes the language a program was written in (such as C++ or Java) and translates it into a language that your computer and its operating system can read.
While the original programming language (and the “sentences” writing in that language) are the meat of the program, it usually takes a compiler to digest that meat and turn it into something you can use on your computer.
Where the runtime library fits in.
The compiler uses a special program library called the runtime library. The codes in this library allow the compiler to create programming language-specific commands that work on the computer, without actually having to re-publish equivalents to those commands.
In short, the runtime library keeps the compiler from having to rewrite the program in a new language. This saves a tremendous amount of space.
(The term “run time” is used to designate commands that are to be used while the program is actually running.)
So just what causes a runtime library error?
There can be several causes for this type of problem. One common cause is that the program has not yet been sufficiently tested. This can sometimes happen with programs built by one person or a handful of individuals.
In fact, any program will have more than one runtime library error in its early versions. Usually most of these are taken care of before the program is released, but beta versions and early models of software may still have these problems.
Is your message about C++? The problem is likely with the software.
This kind of error message often pops up with a reference to C++ or Visual C++. The reference to C++ means that your software was built with that language. It doesn’t mean that the members of the C++ programming community are going to know what the problem with your computer is. Learn more about runtime library error so that you can fix your computer and get your programs to work like they should!
Tags: compiler, programming language, runtime library error, visual C++