Glossary · Automation software engineering and architecture
Runtime configuration
Also known as: Run-time configuration
German: Laufzeitkonfiguration
In software engineering, runtime configuration is configuration that a program reads or changes while it is running or at startup, such as parameters, connection settings or feature switches, without recompiling the software.
- Software engineering
In one sentence
Runtime configuration consists of settings a program reads or changes at startup or while running, without recompiling the software.
Example
The edge application reads the list of OPC UA endpoints and sampling intervals from a configuration file at startup, so the plant can add machines without a new software build.
How it applies
- Engineering: Runtime configuration makes software adaptable per site. It must be validated when loaded, for example with Schema validation and range checks, so invalid values are rejected rather than causing faults.
- Configuration management: Runtime configuration is part of what defines a machine's behavior; it belongs under Configuration control and in backups, not only the software version.
- Documentation: Document every configurable parameter: meaning, unit, range, default, whether a restart is needed and who may change it. Parameter references can often be generated from the configuration schema.
Runtime vs. compile-time configuration
Compile-time configuration is fixed when the software is built. Runtime configuration can differ per installation with the same binary, which reduces the number of builds but moves validation to the field.