compatibility

Etymology

From compatible + -ity.

noun

1. The state of being compatible; in which two or more things are able to exist or work together in combination without problems or conflict.
   One huge self-inflicted wound the industry is now suffering from is the lack of coupling compatibility. Up to the 1980s virtually everything had compatible drawgear on a given route, so there was every chance of pushing a failed train out of the way. Since privatisation, compatibility has been lost and in the last few years operators seem to have gone out of their way to avoid compatibility. 2019 October, Ian Walmsley, “Cleaning up”, in Modern Railways, page 43
   They will feature wider gangways for better wheelchair accessibility, as well as compatibility with platform screen doors - should these ever be introduced in the future. August 9 2023, “Network News: SPT delighted with testing of new Glasgow Subway trains”, in RAIL, number 989, page 24
2. (telecommunications) 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.
3. (computing) 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.
4. (computing) 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.
5. (structural analysis) the continuity or good fit of material or members or components while being deformed.