lauffähig

lauffähig is a German adjective used primarily in the context of software and computing to describe a program, script, or code that is capable of being executed without errors. The term combines laufen (“to run”) with the suffix –fähig (“able”), literally meaning “run‑able”. In technical documentation, a program that is lauffähig has passed compilation, linking, and any required configuration steps, and it can be started on the intended hardware or operating system.

The concept is closely related to the English terms “executable” and “runnable”. While executable often refers to a file format (such as .exe on Windows), lauffähig emphasizes the functional state of the software rather than its file type. For instance, a Java source file may be lauffähig after successful compilation into bytecode and appropriate runtime environment setup, even though the original source code is not itself an executable file.

In software development workflows, ensuring that a component is lauffähig is a prerequisite for integration testing and deployment. Build systems typically generate reports indicating which modules are lauffähig, and continuous integration pipelines may halt if a build fails to produce a runnable artifact.

The term also appears in non‑technical contexts, where it can describe any process, system, or device that operates correctly. In such cases, lauffähig conveys that the subject fulfills the functional requirements necessary for its intended use.

Overall, lauffähig is a concise descriptor in German technical literature that signals the readiness of software or systems to be executed or operated as designed.