Runtime configuration brings flexibility and customizability to users in the utilization of software systems. However, its enormous scale and complex mechanisms also pose significant challenges. A large number of scholars and research institutions have probed into runtime configuration to improve the availability and adaptability of software systems in complex environments. This study develops an analytical framework of runtime configuration to provide a systematic overview of state-of-the-art research from three different stages, namely configuration analysis and comprehension, configuration defect detection and misconfiguration diagnosis, and configuration utilization. The study also summarizes the limitations and challenges faced by current research and outlines the research trend of runtime configuration, which is of guiding significance for future work.