Compatibility

Compatibility may refer to:

• Astrological compatibility, the branch of astrology that studies relationships by comparing natal horoscopes
• Compatibilism, a philosophical position
• Compatibility (geochemistry), how readily a particular trace element substitutes for a major element within a mineral
• Compatibility (chemical), how stable a substance is when mixed with another substance.
• Compatibility (mechanics), the study of compatible deformations in continuum mechanics
• Electromagnetic compatibility, which studies the unintentional generation, propagation, and reception of electromagnetic energy
• Interpersonal compatibility, the long-term interaction between two or more individuals in terms of the ease and comfort of communication

Computing

• Pin-compatibility, in devices that have the same functions assigned to the same particular pins
• Computer compatibility, of a line of machines
• License compatibility, of software license
• Backward compatibility, newer devices can understand the input generate for older devices
• Forward compatibility, older devices partly can understand data generated by newer devices
• Compatibility layer, components that allow for non-native support of components
  • Compatibility mode, software mechanism in which a software emulates an older version of software
• Compatibility card, an expansion card for hardware emulation of another device

See also

• IBM PC compatible, computers are those generally similar to the original IBM PC, XT, and AT
• Software incompatibility, a characteristic of software components or systems which cannot operate satisfactorily together