Binary-code compatibility
In computing, a computer that can run the same binary code intended to be run on another computer is said to be binary-compatible. This is different from source-compatibility where it's required to compile the source code.
Binary-compatibility is a major benefit when developing computer programs that are to be run on multiple operating systems. Several Linux and Unix are binary compatible. The same applies to Microsoft Windows; binaries that are compiled for Windows 2000, can also be run on Windows XP and Windows Vista.