submit urlsubmit rss feedadd directory

article

Computer software (or simply software) is the programs and procedures that enable a computer to perform a specific task, as opposed to the physical components of the system (hardware). This includes application software such as a word processor, which enables a user to perform a task, and system software such as an operating system, which enables other software to run properly, by interfacing with hardware and with other software.

The term "software" was first used in this sense by John W. Tukey in 1957. In computer science and software engineering, computer software is all information processed by computer systems, programs and data. The concept of reading different sequences of instructions into the memory of a device to control computations was invented by Charles Babbage as part of his difference engine. The theory that is the basis for most modern software was first proposed by Alan Turing in his 1935 essay Computable numbers with an application to the Entscheidungsproblem. Hally, Mike (2005:79). Electronic brains/Stories from the dawn of the computer age. British Broadcasting Corporation and Granta Books, London. ISBN 1-86-207663-4.

Relationship to hardware


Computer software is so called in contrast to computer hardware, which encompasses the physical interconnections and devices required to store and execute (or run) the software. In computers, software is loaded into RAM and executed in the central processing unit. At the lowest level, software consists of a machine language specific to an individual processor. A machine language consists of groups of binary values signifying processor instructions (object code), which change the state of the computer from its preceding state. Software is an ordered sequence of instructions for changing the state of the computer hardware in a particular sequence. It is generally written in high-level programming languages that are easier and more efficient for humans to use (closer to natural language) than machine language. High-level languages are compiled or interpreted into machine language object code. Software may also be written in an assembly language, essentially, a mnemonic representation of a machine language using a natural language alphabet. Assembly language must be assembled into object code via an assembler.

More on [ Computer software ]


directory of related categories

 

MSDS@
 

 

 
 
directory of related topics

Computational :: Chemistry
Software :: Science

 
Software RSS feed
Software - Twitter Search

Squarespace hosting/CMS service launches iPhone app: Filed under: Software, Blogging, Internet Tools, iPhone, A.. http://bit.ly/HNopb
splashingmashin (splishsplashmash) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:33:05 -0000
Squarespace hosting/CMS service launches iPhone app: Filed under: Software, Blogging, Internet Tools, iPhone, A.. http://bit.ly/HNopb
Speech to text software (audio transcribing) for mac http://bit.ly/1qZAuV
maheshspeaks (Mahesh Sabharwal) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:33:03 -0000
Speech to text software (audio transcribing) for mac http://bit.ly/1qZAuV
If you need Pro Hosting and a Software Suite of Website Marketing tools, Start Here! http://gvoprohost.com
LittleMoron (Scorpio Mendez) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:32:56 -0000
If you need Pro Hosting and a Software Suite of Website Marketing tools, Start Here! http://gvoprohost.com
Sr. Software Engineer, Network - WB Games Inc. ...: Incentive Plan, 401(k) matching contribution, relocation as.. http://cli.gs/vLMBS
videogamejobs (Video Game Jobs) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:32:52 -0000
Sr. Software Engineer, Network - WB Games Inc. ...: Incentive Plan, 401(k) matching contribution, relocation as.. http://cli.gs/vLMBS
new software fixed a lot of the stuff I was having problems with, ie sideways bookmarks
Christo27 (Christopher Barry) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:32:51 -0000
new software fixed a lot of the stuff I was having problems with, ie sideways bookmarks
Senior Software Engineer, Tools/Plug-ins - 113764 - Monolith Productions Kirkland, WA, USA: B.. http://cli.gs/rm4ba
videogamejobs (Video Game Jobs) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:32:51 -0000
Senior Software Engineer, Tools/Plug-ins - 113764 - Monolith Productions Kirkland, WA, USA: <b><u>B.. http://cli.gs/rm4ba

 
Subscribe to Software RSS feed

directory of related sites

Linux for Chemistry CD-ROM Project - Bundles over 1 Gb of chemistry software, pre-built for the Linux operating system. Contents, screenshots, and ordering.

Software related videos
Computer Software in Plain English
Next Video
Software related videos

 

HOMEADVERTISINGABOUT US

articlesartsbusinesscomputersgameshealthhospitalshomekids & teensnewsmobilephysiciansrecreationreferenceregionalscienceshoppingsocietysportsworld


Submit a Site About Become an Editor