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Platform
In computing, a platform describes some sort of framework,
either in hardware or software, which allows software to run. Typical
platforms include a computer's architecture, operating system, or
programming languages and their runtime libraries.
Operating system is one of the first requirements mentioned
when defining system requirements (software). Software may not be
compatible with different versions of same line of operating systems,
although some measure of backward compatibility is often
maintained. For example, most software designed for Microsoft
Windows XP does not run on Microsoft Windows 98, although the
converse is not always true. Similarly, software designed using
newer features of Linux Kernel v2.6 generally does not run or
compile properly (or at all) on Linux distributions using Kernel v2.2
or v2.4.
APIs and drivers
Software making extensive use of special hardware devices,
like high-end display adapters, needs special API or newer device
drivers. A good example is DirectX, which is a collection of APIs for
handling tasks related to multimedia, especially game programming,
on Microsoft platforms.
Web browser
Most web applications and software depending heavily on
Internet technologies make use of the default browser installed on
system. Microsoft Internet Explorer is a frequent choice of software
running on Microsoft Windows, which makes use of ActiveX
controls, despite their vulnerabilities.
Other requirements
Some software also has other requirements for proper
performance. Internet connection (type and speed) and resolution of
the display screen are notable examples.
Following is an example of system requirement definitions for
a popular PC game and trend of ever increasing resource needs:
For instance, while StarCraft (1998) needed:

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