Finding simple, understandable definitions of the phrases computer software and computer program can be difficult. There are many technical definitions, one example is provided by Wikipedia, but these can be very difficult to understand by people who are not already software or computing professionals.
The terms computer software and computer program are often used interchangeably. This is acceptable in most circumstances.
What is Computer Software?In the same way that a person can carry out many tasks, a computer can carry out many tasks. Many people have a job description for their main career and are also capable of doing many other jobs – however most people only work on one job at a time.
A computer also needs a job description for each of the different tasks it performs. A computer, too, can perform many different jobs. A computer program can be thought of as a job description for the task the computer has to perform.
Computer hardware is the collection of physical components that make up a computer, for example, a screen, a cpu, laptop, mouse, keyboard, etc.
Computer software can’t be touched. It is the set of job descriptions that a computer can perform. Computers often come with software already installed and ready to work, otherwise it can be bought in a box containing a set of CDs (the software is on the CDs) or downloaded from the internet.
An important point to understand about software and computers is that a computer won't do a job until it’s told which one to do. A computer program is the set of instructions that tell the computer how to do the job.
Application Software or Operating System?Computer software can be divided into many different categories. It’s useful to divide software into operating system software and application software.
The operating system or o/s is the set of very basic jobs computers do such as showing mouse movement on a screen when a physical mouse is moved by a computer user. Examples of operating systems include: windows vista, windows xp, mac os x, linux and unix.
Application software, or just 'application' is, for most people, where the fun starts. An application is the software bought to do common jobs such as play a game, allow people to speak to each other, record music and change it to new formats, view videos, play DVDs, scan books or listen to music –the list is endless.
Common applications include the software which allows access to the internet and viewing web sites (an internet browser such as firefox or internet explorer). Other example applications include, word processors to produce and print documents, spreadsheets to manage accounts and finances, or software to produce and print mind maps.
Computer software is the set of job descriptions that computers perform by following the instructions in the programs.
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