Runtime

Permissive use of a portion of a software system that allows for the "running" or "viewing" or "delivery" or "playback" of an application in contrast to its "authoring." An author may write an electronic book in Asymetrix ToolBook authoring software, for example, which can then be played by readers using ToolBook runtime software. Many types of software (e.g., word processor, spreadsheet, and database software) have no runtime versions. Most hypertext and hypermedia authoring packages have runtime versions. Vendors vary as to whether fees are charged for runtime versions. Apple Media Kit from Apple Corporation and ScriptX from Kaleida Labs are examples of options that can have costly runtime fees, especially for items sold in large-scale markets. Some options have free runtime within an organization but charge a royalty on all sales of applications outside the organization. A professor who writes a CD-ROM textbook in some types of software (Apple Media Kit, Icon Author, Tencore, etc.) can use the free runtime versions for discs distributed free to students and faculty within his or her university but would have to pay a royalty on each CD-ROM sold for a profit. There is a strong incentive for authors to seek out hypertext and hypermedia authoring packages that are accompanied by free runtime (reader, player, playback, delivery) files for all customers. Many of these alternatives are discussed and compared in Chapter 3.