ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Runtime environment

A runtime environment is like a special room that makes sure a program runs properly. Imagine you are playing with your toys in a special room. This room has all the things you need, like toys, snacks, and pillows. The room also makes sure you stay safe by checking that you are not doing anything dangerous, like climbing on tall things or touching hot things. A program works the same way. It needs a special room called a runtime environment that has all the things it needs to run, like memory and processors. The runtime environment makes sure the program doesn't break or cause any problems on your computer. It's like having a grownup watching over you while you play with your toys.