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

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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.

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@cliftonhenry said on CLS 2.0 Special Effects Tutorial Creating Fire With Software http://3.ly/sIY
cliftonhenry (Clifton Henry) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:10:14 -0000
@cliftonhenry said on CLS 2.0 Special Effects Tutorial Creating Fire With Software http://3.ly/sIY
"Congratulations! You have received an order!" This is the email you'll receive with every order placed through your Business Card Software
EasyCardDesigne (Business Cards - B2B) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:10:04 -0000
"Congratulations! You have received an order!" This is the email you'll receive with every order placed through your Business Card Software
@tiredbees wow huge phone bill - OT what software creates your animated menu on your website?
happycube (Happy Cube) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:09:57 -0000
@tiredbees wow huge phone bill - OT what software creates your animated menu on your website?
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twiwow (Richard) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:09:55 -0000
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Looks like Window 7 tries even harder to mimic the awesome software that can only be MAC.....
AlainaFrederick (Alaina Frederick) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:09:49 -0000
Looks like Window 7 tries even harder to mimic the awesome software that can only be MAC.....
@repeattran haha not sure about best phone ever yet. There are a few things that i hope software will fix.
supermark (Mark) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:09:41 -0000
@repeattran haha not sure about best phone ever yet. There are a few things that i hope software will fix.

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