Computing platforms can be software or hardware frameworks from which software applications can be launched. They include GUIs, OSs, programming languages, and computer hardware architecture. Platforms ensure consistent performance and can allow software to run independently of the OS. Cross-platform applications are compatible with multiple OSs and achieved through the programming language used as the platform. Examples of software-based platforms include Linux, Unix, and Android, while hardware-based platforms include mainframes, supercomputers, and game consoles.
There are various types of computing platforms, both software and hardware. The term platform refers to any software framework or hardware architecture from which a software application can be launched. Computing platforms can include graphical user interfaces (GUIs) and operating systems (OSs) such as Windows or Macintosh OS and OSX, programming languages, or the computer hardware architecture itself.
In software development, the platform can be used as a means of ensuring the consistent performance of a product when the platform is running. This can result in a software application that can run independently of the operating system installed on the hardware. Examples of these types of software applications include Java-based packages and QuickTime. Some Internet-based software companies use these platforms to enable online gaming without the limitations of the installed operating system affecting the functioning of the software. Using a computer platform to emulate an older operating system, these services allow games to be played on modern hardware that would normally be incompatible with the software.
Some software houses have used integrated software platforms to allow their software to be compatible with two operating systems from one storage medium. An example of this would be a software application or game that the user is able to install on either a personal computer (PC) running the Microsoft Windows operating system or an Apple Macintosh computer. This is referred to as a cross-platform application.
The level of compatibility demonstrated by a cross-platform application is achieved by the programming language which also serves as the platform. Using this integrated computing platform, software applications can be programmed to run on hardware without a functioning operating system. It is used to provide a graphical user interface when installing operating systems on an otherwise empty drive. As an example of platform independence, the Java programming language serves as both a programming language and a computing platform. Applications programmed in this language will launch correctly on any operating system or hardware.
Software-based computing platform types are common and include computer-based operating systems and mobile devices such as Linux and Unix-based systems, Google Chrome, Android, and Palm OS. Hardware-based platforms include large mainframe systems and supercomputers all the way up to home video game consoles. Hardware-based forms of computing platform also incorporate advanced reduced instruction set computer (Advanced RISC Machine or ARM) computers for mobile system architectures, Unix systems, and Intel x86-based systems.
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