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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How Wall Street Can Mitigate Financial Fraud Using Biometric Authentication
Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:23:24 -0400
Risk control procedures are not enough to mitigate fraud on Wall Street. The current financial meltdown provides evidence that many banks and financial institutions have failed to change systems and people in order to mitigate fraud and to comply with regulations and standards. Biometric authentication is a reliable solution for preventing security breaches. Knowledge Center contributors Paul Foote and Reena Hora explain why the financial industry needs to supplement its internal controls compliance with biometric authentication. - Daily, trillions of dollars are transferred worldwide in funds and securities through financial systems. The magnitude of this exposes the financial institutions and their customers to a very high risk of deliberate and accidental fraud. Many government and industry regulations and standards such as...
eWeek Newsbreak, Oct. 6, 2008
Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:29:25 -0400
Could it be true? Did Apple really drop their non-disclosure agreement for released iPhone software? Ashley explains what Apple's decision could mean to you and the applications you use. The Chinese government is monitoring the conversations of Skype users, scanning all communications for sensitive keywords including Taiwan Freedom, Communist Party and Voice of America. The data, including users personal information is then being stored in publicly accessible servers. Google's energy team is out to save the planet. They've put out a proposal outlining how the U.S. could cut back on energy consumption and develop green industries to create new jobs. Toshiba is looking to use its Super Charge Ion battery to help extend the life of your lap top. The innovative battery gets a 90-percent charge in just ten minutes. And finally, although not in production, Lamborghini showed off its four door concept car at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. - Video Content....
Google, Yahoo Delay Search Ad Partnership
Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:21:13 -0400
The Google-Yahoo deal announced in June to share advertising was widely seen as an effort to help fend off Microsoft's efforts to acquire Yahoo, by bringing Yahoo an additional $800 million in annual revenues. - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Google Inc and Yahoo Inc have decided to delay implementing a controversial search advertising partnership, Yahoo said on Friday. quot;The companies have agreed to a brief delay in implementing this agreement to continue our ongoing discussions with the [U.S.] Department of ...
IBM is Closer to Building Bluehouse to Compete With Cisco, Google, Microsoft
Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:19:48 -0400
IBM opens a beta for Bluehouse, the company's SAAS social networking and collaboration platform. The offering will compete with cloud computing solutions from Google, Microsoft and Cisco at a time when messaging and collaboration platforms are moving into the Web. - Update: IBM continues to drive the unified communications and collaboration bus, speeding closer along the road to Bluehouse, the company's SAAS (software as a service) social networking and collaboration software for businesses. When IBM introduced Bluehouse last January at its annual Lotusphere ...
DRAM Storage Chip Makers Face Credit and Supply Challenges: iSuppli
Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:18:40 -0400
DRAM storage chip suppliers Samsung, Elpida Memory and Powerchip Semiconductor face tougher challenges in servicing debts and financing capital expenditure as banks become more cash-strapped under the Wall Street financial crisis and global credit crunch, according to iSuppli. iSuppli cut its near-term market rating on dynamic random access memory (DRAM) storage chips used mainly in personal computers to negative from neutral. DRAM storage chip maker Samsung Electronics is the only chip maker not suffering losses. - SEOUL (Reuters) - DRAM suppliers face tougher challenges in servicing debts and financing capital expenditure as banks become more cash-strapped under the global credit crunch, research firm iSuppli said. quot;Even with the expected intervention by the U.S. government, this crisis means the co...
eBay to Lay Off 10 Percent of Employees, Acquire Bill Me Later Payments and Craigslist Competitor
Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:09:13 -0400
The eBay online auction site will pay $1.3 billion to buy the Bill Me Later online payments service to add to its PayPal division and Den Bla Avis and BilBasen, a Craigslist-like online classified service. eBay will also lay off 10 percent of its work force and sees third-quarter revenue hitting the low end of its forecast. eBay said the job cuts would affect about 1,000 employees and several hundred temporary workers. The reduction is expected to incur restructuring charges of about $70 million to $80 million, mostly in the fourth quarter. - NEW YORK (Reuters) - EBay Inc plans to cut its work force 10 percent and sees third-quarter revenue hitting the low end of its forecast, though profit will exceed expectations, the online auction Web site said on Monday. EBay also said it would spend more than $1.3 billion to buy companies that...

The Seattle Times: Business & Technology

Countrywide suit settled; homeowners to get aid
Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:19:36 -0700
More than 10,000 Washington state homeowners who are at risk of foreclosure will get help with their mortgages as part of a record $8.4 billion settlement between Countrywide Financial and officials in 11 states.
Ballmer went to Europe bearing good tidings
Sun, 05 Oct 2008 22:29:03 -0700
The last time the economy plunged into darkness, Microsoft broke free from the shackles of its U.S. antitrust case.
That Web 2.0? We are so over that
Sun, 05 Oct 2008 22:32:50 -0700
As much as economic bubbles keep bursting all about us these days, it seems only a matter of time before the same happens to the ultrahip Web 2.0 phenomenon.

NYT > Technology

The Future of Reading: Using Video Games as Bait to Hook Readers
Mon, 06 Oct 2008 07:03:09 -0000
Publishers, authors and even libraries are embracing video games to promote books to young readers.
Dawn of Low-Price Mapping Could Broaden DNA Uses
Mon, 06 Oct 2008 09:10:47 -0000
A start-up company called Complete Genomics says it will start charging $5,000 next year to determine a person’s complete genetic blueprint.
EBay Cuts 10% of Work Force
Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:33:00 -0000
The move to cut about 1,000 jobs is an attempt by eBay to improve the performance of its core marketplace division, which has seen declining growth in the last few years.

CNN.com - Technology

An eco-friendly way to cool big trucks
Mon, 06 Oct 2008 09:35:43 -0400
More than 7 percent of the U.S.'s daily oil consumption is attributed to heavy-duty truck idling, according to estimates. Many truckers, while resting at truck stops, idle their engines in hot weather to cool their cabs. But now a company has developed an eco-friendly cooling device that works with the engine off.
How to measure your 'water footprint'
Mon, 06 Oct 2008 09:47:50 -0400
Most people by now will be familiar with the term 'carbon footprint' and may even have calculated it themselves, but how many are familiar with their 'water footprint'?
Report: 1 in 4 mammals at risk of extinction
Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:37:19 -0400
Read full story for latest details.

NPR Topics: Technology

New Solar Cell Easy As Pizza To Make
Sat, 04 Oct 2008 12:16:00 -0400
The iJET is a new type of solar cell that's cheap and easy to make, requiring not much more than a pizza oven, some nail polish remover, and a common inkjet printer. Australian scientist Nicole Kuepper describes her invention.
SpaceX Celebrates First Successful Rocket Launch
Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:53:00 -0400
SpaceX's flagship Falcon1 rocket has successfully launched from an island in the central Pacific, becoming the first privately-developed rocket to orbit the planet. NASA has already contracted SpaceX to begin private space flight missions to the International Space Station beginning in 2010.
Northeast States Trade Carbon Emission Credits
Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:46:00 -0400
A consortium of Northeast states has completed the first cap-and-trade greenhouse gas auction in the U.S. Under cap-and-trade, limits are set on emissions. Companies that do not use up their quota of emissions are able to sell their excess emission capacity to other companies.

BBC News | Technology | UK Edition

Europeans sought over hack attack
Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:10:44 -0000
The FBI is seeking a British man and his German accomplice over attacks on web shops selling satellite TV equipment.
China 'spying on Skype messages'
Fri, 03 Oct 2008 01:38:32 -0000
Chinese officials are censoring messages sent through the internet service Skype, Canadian researchers say.
Music stars unite to seek control
Fri, 03 Oct 2008 23:30:43 -0000
Acts including Robbie Williams and Radiohead join a coalition to try to gain ownership and control of their music from record labels.

Reuters Video: Technology

Shazam enters new era
Sun, 05 Oct 2008 20:22:20 -0400
Oct 6 - The mobile music discovery service has seen a surge of new users after broadening its offering to work seamlessly with social networks.
Solar clothes
Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:30:01 -0400
Oct. 3 - Argentine designer looks to the future by creating solar-powered clothing.
Ring ring, bling bling
Fri, 03 Oct 2008 14:21:52 -0400
Oct. 3 - Ring ring, bling bling; NIntendo's latest player, 3D reality, and a hybrid motorbike.

AP Top Technology News At 10:54 a.m. EDT

EBay to cut 1,000 jobs, will buy Bill Me Later
Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:04:15 -0000
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- EBay Inc., which still reaps big profits but has been struggling to attract new users, said Monday it will cut about 1,000 jobs in an attempt to streamline its business. The cuts amount to 10 percent of eBay's work force....
Ask.com hopes to make search faster, more relevant
By RACHEL METZ Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:15:38 -0000
NEW YORK (AP) -- Assuming your company's name isn't a verb synonymous with looking things up online, how do you get Web surfers to not just try your search engine, but also frequent it?...
Fraud plagues prepaid calling card market
By JOELLE TESSLER Sun, 05 Oct 2008 19:54:15 -0000
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Rosalba Posada can tick off a list of problems she has encountered trying to use prepaid calling cards to stay in touch with family back in Colombia....

CNET News.com

Suit against magazine-sharing site settled
Mon, 06 Oct 2008 08:04:00 -0700
The magazine-sharing site Mygazines.com is removing much of its copyrighted content after reaching a settlement in a suit filed by magazine publishers.
GigaOm's tech blogs pull in $4.5 million
Mon, 06 Oct 2008 08:02:00 -0700
Alloy Ventures leads Giga Omni Media's third round of funding, which was planned both as a means for growth and a safeguard against economic troubles.
Two Europeans indicted over U.S. cyberattacks
Mon, 06 Oct 2008 08:01:08 -0700
A 24-year-old from England and a 25-year-old from Germany face conspiracy and computer damage charges related to a large-scale DDoS attack resulting in major financial losses.

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