Computer software

Computer software (or simply software) is essentially a computer program encoded in such a fashion that the program (the instruction set) contents can be changed with minimal effort. Computer software can have various functions such as controlling hardware, performing computations, communication with other software, human interaction, etc; all of which are prescribed in the program.

Software in operation

Computer software has to be "loaded" into the computer's storage (also known as memory and RAM).

Related Topics:
Computer's storage - RAM

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Once the software is loaded, the computer is able to operate the software. Computers operate by executing the computer program. This involves passing instructions from the application software, through the system software, to the hardware which ultimately receives the instruction as machine code. Each instruction causes the computer to carry out an operation -- moving data, carrying out a computation, or altering the flow of instructions.

Related Topics:
Computer program - Instruction - Hardware - Machine code - Data - Computation

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Kinds of software by operation: computer program as executable, source code or script, configuration.

Related Topics:
Computer program - Executable - Source code - Script - Configuration

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