Final answer:
Array bounds checking indeed occurs at runtime to ensure that array indices are within the correct range, thus preventing errors like buffer overflows. The statement is therefore True.
Step-by-step explanation:
Array bounds checking does indeed happen at runtime, which means it occurs while the program is running. This is a mechanism used in many programming languages to ensure that an array index is within the limits of the array, preventing errors or potential vulnerabilities such as buffer overflows. When a program attempts to access an array element, the system checks whether the index is within the legal range of indices for that array. If the index is outside the allowed range, the program may throw an error or take some other defined action.
Therefore, the statement 'Array bounds checking happens at runtime' is True. This kind of safety check is critical in languages that do not enforce static type safety and in systems where security is a concern. But it should be noted that some languages or compilers might also offer an option to disable array bounds checking in order to improve performance, primarily when the programmer is confident that the array accesses are always safe.