Cross-platform software is an application that works on several operating systems or hardware platforms. It may be built from a single shared code base using a framework, or from separate native versions that behave the same way.
Why it matters
Users switch devices and teams mix operating systems, so a tool that works everywhere avoids compatibility problems. For developers, sharing code cuts cost, though it can mean slower performance or a less native look than a platform-specific app. Browsers are the most universal cross-platform runtime, which is why many tools ship as web apps.
Example
Visual Studio Code, Firefox and VLC run on Windows, macOS and Linux. Frameworks such as Electron, Flutter and React Native let a team write most of the app once and package it for several targets. A Windows-only program such as one using Win32 APIs directly would need a rewrite or a compatibility layer to run on a Mac.
Common misconceptions
- Cross-platform does not guarantee identical features on every system.
- Running a Windows app through a compatibility layer is not the same as being cross-platform.
- A web app works across systems but still depends on browser support.
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यह पेज सामान्य जानकारी है, जिसे हमारी संपादकीय टीम ने लिखा है और दस्तावेज़ीकरण बदलने पर अपडेट किया जाता है। सर्वर और प्रदाता अलग-अलग होते हैं, इसलिए बदलाव पहले सुरक्षित तरीके से जाँचें। देखें: संपादकीय नीति और अस्वीकरण.