Real-Time

See: Real-Time Computing System, Real-Time Operating System, Real-Time Simulation.

References

(Wiktionary, 2009) ⇒ http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/realtime
- Adjective
  - 1. (computing) of a system that responds to events or signals within a predictable time after their occurrence; specifically the response time must be within the maximum allowed.

(Wikipedia, 2009) ⇒ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real-time
- In computer science, real-time computing (RTC) is the study of hardware and software systems that are subject to a "real-time constraint" — i.e., operational deadlines from event to system response. By contrast, a non-real-time system is one for which there is no deadline, even if fast response or high performance is desired or preferred. The needs of real-time software are often addressed in the context of real-time operating systems, and synchronous programming languages, which provide frameworks on which to build real-time application software.
- A real time system may be one where its application can be considered (within context) to be mission critical. The anti-lock brakes on a car are a simple example of a real-time computing system — the real-time constraint in this system is the short time in which the brakes must be released to prevent the wheel from locking. Real-time computations can be said to have failed if they are not completed before their deadline, where their deadline is relative to an event. A real-time deadline must be met, regardless of system load.