Computer program

A computer program or software program (usually abbreviated to "a program") is a step-by-step list of instructions written for a particular computer architecture in a particular computer programming language. A layman equivalent example would be writing a step-by-step list of instructions in English instructing a human how to make a Peanut butter and jelly sandwich (the human being the specific architecture). More often than not, computer programs are compiled or assembled into non-human readable format. Executable uncompiled programs are referred to as scripts.

Terminology

The term "program" specifically refers to the blocks of instruction code that are loaded into memory for execution by an interpreter. (See Program Execution below.)

Related Topics:
Instruction code - Memory - Interpreter - Program Execution

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In comparison, the term "software" refers to the computer program and any resources related to it. This would include static data, components (plugins), configuration files, and so on. These resources are usually bundled together into a software package to be distributed.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Software programs (collections of programs and related resources) are most frequently referred to as applications by end-users, as most users are focused on the abilities of application software (application programs) rather than system software. (Users see things differently than programmers.)

Related Topics:
Software - Applications - System software

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Note: The British English spelling programme is, for the most part, no longer used to refer to computer programs, as most internationally-used computing terms use the words (and spelling conventions) adopted in the U.S..

Related Topics:
British English - U.S.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~