Real-time or real time describes various operations in computing or other processes that must guarantee response times within a specified time (deadline), usually a relatively short time. A real-time process is generally one that happens in defined time steps of maximum duration and fast enough to affect the environment in which it occurs, such as inputs to a computing system. Examples of real-time operations include:

Computing

Real-time computing Real-time computing (RTC) is the computer science term for hardware and software systems subject to a "real-time constraint", for example from event to system response. Real-time programs must guarantee response within specified time constra ...

, hardware and software systems subject to a specified time constraint *

Real-time clock A real-time clock (RTC) is an electronic device (most often in the form of an integrated circuit) that measures the passage of time. Although the term often refers to the devices in personal computers, servers and embedded systems, RTCs are pr ...

, a computer clock that keeps track of the current time *

Real-time Control System Real-time Control System (RCS) is a reference model architecture, suitable for many software-intensive, real-time computing control problem domains. It defines the types of functions needed in a real-time intelligent control system, and how these ...

, a reference model architecture suitable for software-intensive, real-time computing * Real-time Programming Language, a compiled database programming language which expresses work to be done by a particular time

Applications

Real-time computer graphics Real-time computer graphics or real-time rendering is the sub-field of computer graphics focused on producing and analyzing images in real time. The term can refer to anything from rendering an application's graphical user interface (GUI) to ...

, sub-field of computer graphics focused on producing and analyzing images in real time ** Real-time camera system, for controlling cameras in a 3D virtual environment *

Real-time operating system A real-time operating system (RTOS) is an operating system (OS) for real-time applications that processes data and events that have critically defined time constraints. An RTOS is distinct from a time-sharing operating system, such as Unix, which m ...

, for running real-time software *

Real-time protection Antivirus software (abbreviated to AV software), also known as anti-malware, is a computer program used to prevent, detect, and remove malware. Antivirus software was originally developed to detect and remove computer viruses, hence the nam ...

, protection enabled constantly, rather than by, say, a virus scan *

Real-time text Real-time text (RTT) is text transmitted instantly as it is typed or created. Recipients can immediately read the message while it is being written, without waiting. Real-time text is used for conversational text, in collaboration, and in live cap ...

, transmitted as it is being typed or produced *

Real time Java Real time Java is a catch-all term for a combination of technologies that enables programmers to write programs that meet the demands of real-time systems in the Java programming language. Java's sophisticated memory management, native support fo ...

, for real-time programs in Java *

Real-time disk encryption Disk encryption is a technology which protects information by converting it into unreadable code that cannot be deciphered easily by unauthorized people. Disk encryption uses disk encryption software or hardware to encrypt every bit of data that g ...

, encrypting data as it is written to disk *

Real-time web The real-time web is a network web using technologies and practices that enable users to receive information as soon as it is published by its authors, rather than requiring that they or their software check a source periodically for updates. Di ...

, whereby information is sent to users as it becomes available * Live streaming, continuously delivering multimedia in real time *

Collaborative real-time editor A collaborative real-time editor is a type of collaborative software or web application which enables real-time collaborative editing, simultaneous editing, or live editing of the same digital document, computer file or cloud-stored data – s ...

, simultaneous editing of a document by several users *

Real-time simulation Real-time simulation refers to a computer model of a physical system that can execute at the same rate as actual "wall clock" time. In other words, the computer model runs at the same rate as the actual physical system. For example, if a tank tak ...

, simulation able to run at the same rate as reality *

Real-time Blackhole List A Domain Name System blocklist, Domain Name System-based blackhole list, Domain Name System blacklist (DNSBL) or real-time blackhole list (RBL) is a service for operation of mail servers to perform a check via a Domain Name System (DNS) query whe ...

, a DNS blacklist * Real-time Cmix, a music programming language *

Real Time AudioSuite Real-Time AudioSuite (RTAS) is a format of audio plug-in developed by Digidesign, currently Avid Technology for their Pro Tools LE and Pro Tools M-Powered systems, although they can be run on Pro Tools HD and Pro Tools TDM systems. RTAS plug-i ...

, an audio plug-in for Pro Tools

Other science and technology

* Real-time locating system, a system used to automatically identify and track the location of objects or people in real time *

Real-time gross settlement Real-time gross settlement (RTGS) systems are specialist funds transfer systems where the transfer of money or securities takes place from one bank to any other bank on a "real-time" and on a " gross" basis. Settlement in "real time" means a paym ...

, an online system for settling financial transactions *

Real-time kinematic Real-time kinematic positioning (RTK) is the application of surveying to correct for common errors in current satellite navigation (GNSS) systems. It uses measurements of the phase of the signal's carrier wave in addition to the information con ...

, a satellite navigation technique *

Real-time polymerase chain reaction A real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR, or qPCR) is a laboratory technique of molecular biology based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). It monitors the amplification of a targeted DNA molecule during the PCR (i.e., in real ...

, a laboratory technique which monitors target DNA during the PCR {{SIA