ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Runtime (program lifecycle phase)

Imagine you have a toy robot that can do different activities. Before the robot can actually start doing things, we need to turn it on. This is like starting up a computer program.

Once we turn on the robot, it wakes up and starts running its program. The program is a set of instructions that tells the robot what to do. So, the robot follows these instructions step by step. For example, the instructions might say to walk forward, turn left, and pick up a toy.

While the robot is running its program, it also needs to be aware of what's happening around it. If there is an obstacle in its way, it needs to stop and figure out how to go around it. This is called runtime, because it happens while the program is running.

During runtime, the robot can also interact with other things or people. It can talk, listen, or respond to commands. For example, if you tell the robot to wave, it will wave its hand. This interaction between the robot and the environment is also part of the runtime.

Sometimes, the robot might encounter an error or a problem in its program. For example, if it tries to pick up a toy that is too heavy, it might not be able to do it. When this happens, the robot needs to handle the problem and continue running. It could show an error message or try an alternative solution.

Finally, when the robot finishes its program or when it's time to turn it off, it goes into a sleep mode. This is like when you go to bed at night. The robot stops running its program and waits until it gets turned on again.

So, in summary, runtime is the phase when a computer program or a robot's program is running. It involves following instructions, reacting to the environment, interacting with others, and handling errors.