compatibility

1 a feeling of sympathetic understanding [syn: rapport]

2 capability of existing or performing in harmonious or congenial combination [ant: incompatibility]

English

Noun

1. the capability of two or more items or components of equipment or material to exist or function in the same system or environment without mutual interference.
2. the ability to execute a given program on different types of computers without modification of the program or the computers. See backward compatibility and forward compatibility.
3. the capability that allows the substitution of one subsystem (storage facility), or of one functional unit (e.g., hardware, software), for the originally designated system or functional unit in a relatively transparent manner, without loss of information and without the introduction of errors.
4. In the context of "structural analysis": the continuity or good fit of material or members or components while being deformed

Translations

• German: Kompatibilität
• Italian: compatibilità (all senses)

Related terms

• compatible

The term compatibility may refer to:

• In biology:
  • Blood type compatibility
• In computing:
  • Pin-compatibility
  • Computer compatibility
    • Backward compatibility
    • Forward compatibility
• It may also refer to:
  • Astrological compatibility
  • Compatibility (geochemistry)
  • Compatibility (chemical)
  • Electromagnetic compatibility

See also

• IBM PC compatible

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