runtime patching

noun

UK /ˈrʌn.taɪm ˈpætʃ.ɪŋ/

US /ˈrʌn.taɪm ˈpætʃ.ɪŋ/

Fixing a computer program while it is still running.

The engineers used runtime patching to fix the bug without restarting the game server.

SYNONYMS

live patching hot patching dynamic patching on-the-fly patching

RELATED WORDS

hotfix binary patching memory patching software update debugging

OTHER MEANINGS

2. Changing a running program's code in memory to alter its behavior.

The cheat tool relied on runtime patching to unlock extra features.

3. Applying security fixes to a live system without downtime.

Runtime patching kept the hospital's servers protected around the clock.

4. Modifying game code while it executes to add mods or translations.

The modding community released a runtime patching tool for the new release.