Platform

Platform


Platforms such as Microsoft, PlayStation, Nintendo and Sega are all different platforms which are both platform dependent and independent.

Dependent


Platform dependent means that all software made and hardware is made for that device and can only be used within that device, for example the Xbox 360's Hard Drive, CD disks and software is only designed and can be used on the Xbox 360.

All of these consoles are dependent:

-Xbox 360
-Xbox
-Playstation one
-Playstation two
-Playstation three
-Atari (without the use of emulators)
-PSP
-PS Vita


Independent


Independent platforms means that the software, hardware and disks can be used across a number of different platforms, this includes game such as Minecraft and the unreal tournaments games which allows for the user to play on Windows, Mac and Linux.

All of these types of games and programming languages are independent:

-Flash
-Java

The only real independent console is the Ninetendo Wii as it can run Gamecube games.