redistributable

A redistributable is a software component that can be redistributed with another program under the terms of its license. It is typically a runtime library, framework, or other binary that provides common functionality required by applications, but is not part of the application’s own code. Redistributables are intended to ensure that the end user’s system has the necessary components to run software, even if those components were not installed by the operating system.

Licensing for redistributables usually allows redistribution under specific conditions, often including the right to bundle the component with a third‑party application, and sometimes requiring the developer to install the component using an official installer. Licenses may constrain modification, redistribution in altered form, or use in certain contexts.

In deployment, developers include the appropriate redistributable packages with their installers, or rely on the platform’s own distribution channels. On Windows, for example, many applications ship with runtime packages such as Visual C++ Redistributable Packages and DirectX runtimes to satisfy runtime dependencies. Versions can coexist side by side; successful execution may depend on the presence of the correct version.

Examples include the Visual C++ Redistributable Packages for various Visual Studio versions, DirectX End-User Runtime packages, and other platform-specific runtimes like .NET Framework components or Java runtimes where applicable.