Net Terms

Platform

In computer language, a platform is an underlying computer system on 
which programs can run. On personal computers, the two most popular 
platforms are the Windows 95 and Macintosh platforms.  On larger 
computers such as mainframes, other platforms are sometimes used.

A platform consists of an operating system (the computer's coordinating 
program) and a microprocessor (the microchip that performs logic 
operations and data management in your computer).  The operating system
must be designed to work with a particular microprocessor's set of 
instructions.  For example, Windows 95 is built to work with 
microprocessors from Intel (and other companies) that share the same 
or similar sets of instructions.

Historically, most applications have been written to run only on a 
particular platform.  In other words, a program that was originally 
written to run on the Macintosh platform would have to be rewritten to 
function on the Windows platform.  However, with the advent of new 
operating standards, some programs will be able to run on different 
platforms or to interoperate with different platforms simultaneously.