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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AMD Says U.S. Ends Antitrust Probe with No Action
Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:37:59 -0400
A probe into potential antitrust violations involving graphics chips makers has ended, and no action was taken by the U.S. Department of Justice, according to Advance Micro Devices. - NEW YORK, Oct. 13 (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Justice has ended its probe into potential antitrust violations involving graphics chips makers and taken no action, Advance Micro Devices said on Monday. The company said the DOJ had informed AMD and ATI Technologies on Friday that it had ...
McAfee Notes Spread of Bogus Security Software
Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:26:08 -0400
McAfee warns of an increase in malware posing as legitimate security software in its bi-annual Security Threat journal report. McAfee also noted a jump in Trojans using social engineering techniques to spread, and reveals evidence that freecreditreport.com is the most popular domain for typosquatting. - Think it's safe to download a patch from your e-mail? Not so fast. According to a new report by McAfee, cyber-criminals are increasingly capitalizing on users looking to protect their PCs with the latest updates. In its bi-annual Security Journal threat report, McAfee noted a jump in the amount o...
eWeek Newsbreak, October 13, 2008
Mon, 13 Oct 2008 09:16:08 -0400
Apple's iPhone may finally have some competition. Last week RIM and Verizon Wireless unveiled the new touch screen smartphone called the Blackberry Thunder. Speaking of smart phones, the work force is fast becoming a mobile one. Whether they¹re using company issued Blackberries or their personal iPhone, users are accessing data, applications, e-mail and schedules. It¹s often unofficial and outside the bounds of IT, but Gartner research shows it¹s only a matter of time before they make it official and ask for IT support. The study also breaks down who's footing the bill, and how soon your company could be too. Security vendors such as Symantec, Trend Micro, Secure Computing, CA and Sophos made no fewer than 11 significant acquisitions in 2008. Find out who's buying who and how hefty the price tag. Own a Mac OS X 10.5 or Mac OS X 10.4.11? If you do, Apple has just released a massive security update. Ashley explains where you can go to download it. - Video Content....
Sun Microsystems, Fujitsu Offering New SPARC-Based Server
Mon, 13 Oct 2008 06:43:06 -0400
Sun Microsystems and Fujitsu are rolling out a new midrange server system dubbed the SPARC Enterprise T5440, which will be based on the UltraSPARC T2 Plus processor. While Sun and Fujitsu have been offering low-end systems that use the UltraSPARC T2 chip, this server is geared toward midmarket and enterprise companies that want to run database and CRM applications within their data center infrastructure. The T5440, which Sun and Fujitsu will both sell, is expected to compete against other Unix systems such as IBM Power Systems and HP's Integrity line. - Sun Microsystems and Fujitsu are rolling out a jointly developed midrange system, the SPARC Enterprise T5440 server, which is based on Sun's UltraSPARC T2 plus processor and is designed to run database and CRM applications. With the new T5440 system, Sun and Fujitsu are looking to bring a midr...
The Risks In Wildcard Certificates
Sat, 11 Oct 2008 09:43:20 -0400
They may not be real-world problems, but wildcard certificates have some definite theoretical problems. But they can be so much cheaper that users will buy them anyway. - The imperative to use SSL, for web authentication and encryption or VPNs, is reasonably universal. Competition has driven prices of certificates down over the years to the point where you can get conventional SSL certificates from reputable vendors for well under $100 per year. Another product gain...
FCC Likely to Recommend Unlicensed Spectrum Use
Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:09:07 -0400
The Federal Communications Commission will soon release a report on the feasibility of opening up unused spectrum, or white spaces, for use with wireless broadband. The FCC engineering report will share results of several years of data collection, including field tests on Broadway in New York City and at FedEx Field in Maryland. - WASHINGTON (Reuters) A battle between tech companies like Google Inc and broadcasters over use of soon-to-be vacant airwaves will heat up soon as U.S. regulators release an anticipated report on the issue. The Federal Communications Commission's report will weigh in as early as Friday on the fea...

The Seattle Times: Business & Technology

Boeing engineers union weighs strike plan
Sun, 12 Oct 2008 22:17:00 -0700
As Boeing and striking Machinists return to the bargaining table, the company's engineers represented by SPEEA weigh their options.
Efforts to calm markets face test this week
Sun, 12 Oct 2008 22:24:59 -0700
After a whirl of weekend emergency meetings, government leaders on both sides of the Atlantic produced bold promises to rescue the global financial system, but still raced to work out the details to calm battered stock markets before they opened this morning.
Alliance may one day aid paralyzed, amputees Building on tech-robotic link
Sun, 12 Oct 2008 20:50:51 -0700
The Northwest's economic future seemed promising Friday, if you were inside a certain conference room at Microsoft's advanced research center in Redmond.

NYT > Technology

Revived Fervor for Smart Monitors Linked to a Server
Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:38:35 -0000
Instead of having a big, loud and complex computer on your desk, what if you could have a quiet, thin machine that rarely needed an upgrade or a fix?
Korean Star’s Suicide Reignites Debate on Web Regulation
Mon, 13 Oct 2008 04:32:19 -0000
When movie star Choi Jin-sil was found dead, South Korean police, the media and members of Parliament immediately pointed fingers at the Internet.
Advertising: Newspapers’ Web Revenue Is Stalling
Mon, 13 Oct 2008 04:14:14 -0000
Newspapers, already facing a grim economic forecast, are digesting another piece of bad news.

CNN.com - Technology

City hopes to shuttle people in 'podcars'
Mon, 13 Oct 2008 10:47:49 -0400
Read full story for latest details.
Saudi prince to erect world's tallest building
Mon, 13 Oct 2008 10:00:44 -0400
Saudi Prince and billionaire Al-Waleed bin Talal says he will build the world's tallest building, planned to be over a kilometer (3,281 feet) high. The tower will be built in the Saudi town of Jeddah and will be part of a larger project that will cost $26.7 billion, (100 billion Saudi riyals) said the Prince's firm, Kingdom Holding Company.
Texts from elephant warn rangers of trouble
Sun, 12 Oct 2008 12:00:36 -0400
Read full story for latest details.

NPR Topics: Technology

Fast, Citywide WiFi Launches In Baltimore
Thu, 09 Oct 2008 08:19:00 -0400
The nation's first rollout of WiMax has launched in Baltimore. Host Steve Inskeep talks to tech commentator Mario Armstrong about the fourth generation Internet service. It's a wireless connection that is fast and allows a subscriber to roam across the city.
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.

BBC News | Technology | UK Edition

US tourist set for space station
Sun, 12 Oct 2008 07:19:17 -0000
US space tourist Richard Garriott follows in the footsteps of his astronaut father as he blasts off into space.
Music fans back legal downloads
Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:08:00 -0000
Nearly three quarters of online music pirates would be be put off by warnings from their internet provider, suggests a survey.
Test explores if robots can think
Mon, 13 Oct 2008 10:09:34 -0000
An experiment takes place at Berkshire's University of Reading to see if robots are capable of intelligent thought.

Reuters Video: Technology

Japan's latest robots
Mon, 13 Oct 2008 06:19:22 -0400
Oct 13 - Japan puts its human-like robots on display.
Facebook eyes growth over profits
Sun, 12 Oct 2008 04:39:44 -0400
Oct. 12 - On a visit to London as part of a multi-city European trip, Facebook founder Mark Zuckeberg explains his strategy for navigating a tough economic climate.
Reuters Technology Week
Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:38:38 -0400
Oct. 10 - Palin dukes it out digitally, super strong scents, and prize-winning protein.

AP Top Technology News At 11:10 a.m. EDT

UK university holds artificial intelligence test
By RAPHAEL G. SATTER Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:11:01 -0000
READING, England (AP) -- Computers argued, cracked jokes and parried trick questions, all part of an annual test of artificial intelligence carried out at the University of Reading....
MySpace taps small businesses in ad money quest
By RACHEL METZ Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:06:27 -0000
NEW YORK (AP) -- Just because your band doesn't have the bucks for a six-figure advertising campaign doesn't mean you wouldn't be interested in promoting it on MySpace....
Kenya's elephants send text messages to rangers
By KATHARINE HOURELD Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:43:58 -0000
OL PEJETA, Kenya (AP) -- The text message from the elephant flashed across Richard Lesowapir's screen: Kimani was heading for neighboring farms....

CNET News.com

Gartner and UBS provide a mixed view on IT spending 2008 and 2009
Mon, 13 Oct 2008 08:31:00 -0700
Gartner releases a research report that forecasts a 2.3 percent growth in IT spending this year, while UBS Securities predicts a more dire outcome of a 5 to 15 percent decline.
'60 Minutes' video: Drone warfare in Iraq
Mon, 13 Oct 2008 08:29:57 -0700
UAVs like the Predator are a highly valued asset for the U.S. military as it pursues "fleeting and perishable" targets. Lesley Stahl reports.
Green news harvest: 'black silicon' solar cells
Mon, 13 Oct 2008 08:17:42 -0700
SiOnyx unveils enhanced silicon, Bloom Energy steps ahead with fuel cell, tough days for public clean energy companies, the nuclear fall-out from falling stock market, the price of oil's impact on clean energy, Chevron and DHL invest in clean tech.

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