A computing platform is a foundation of hardware and software that creates a secure base for computer operations. It includes the operating system, hardware architecture, and application frameworks. The range and scope vary according to the end user’s needs.
Platforms in the computing world perform the same general task as in the real world. In essence, a computing platform is a foundation made up of hardware and software. Together, these components create a secure foundation for all operations and functions of the computer system in question.
A commonly identified component of the computing platform is the operating system. Designed to use a specific set of instructions associated with the processor and other hardware in the actual computer, the operating system enables the logical movement of data and commands across the hard drive. Different types of operating systems are currently in use. Some are designed specifically for use with personal computers, while others are created for use on mainframes or corporate servers.
Another important part of the computing platform is the hardware architecture. Along with the processors, this architecture also includes the data bus, motherboard, and other key hardware components that provide the equipment needed to drive the operating system. The hardware helps set the perimeters for the operating system function and provides the instructions necessary to activate the functionality.
A third aspect of the platform is the collection of application frameworks. Typically, software applications are written to fit the specifications of particular operating systems and hardware architectures. They become an integral part of the foundations that make the entire system functional and productive for the end user. Software frameworks can include integrated spreadsheet, word processing, presentation and email functions. In other cases, customer database software can interact with word processors and email software, helping to expand the base or platform to accommodate more applications of the same core data. The range and scope of a software framework varies according to the needs of the end user.
In the broadest sense, a platform in the computing world is virtually any mix of fundamental technology that provides the basis for the function of the computer system in question. A platform can be relatively simple or complex based on the purposes of the system and the types of activities the system is supposed to support.
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