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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LogiCore is Hiring: Software Engineer (Huntsville, AL) http://bit.ly/36d0c2 #Jobs #TweetMyJOBS
tmj_hsv_it (TMJ - HSV IT Jobs) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:25:36 -0000
LogiCore is Hiring: Software Engineer (Huntsville, AL) http://bit.ly/36d0c2 #Jobs #TweetMyJOBS
#applewire Swedish developers vie for Steve Jobs's attention: Filed under: Apple Corporate, Software,.. http://bit.ly/8HI2q5
Apple_Wire (AppleWire) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:25:28 -0000
#applewire Swedish developers vie for Steve Jobs's attention: Filed under: Apple Corporate, Software,.. http://bit.ly/8HI2q5
@sharon_bailey Hold off until Apple announces their tablet ;) Or get a netbook with eReader software!
BlackEyeDesign (Michel Vrana) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:25:25 -0000
@sharon_bailey Hold off until Apple announces their tablet ;) Or get a netbook with eReader software!
Support policy for Microsoft software running in non-Microsoft hardware virtualization software: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/897615
rgcarey (Randy) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:25:16 -0000
Support policy for Microsoft software running in non-Microsoft hardware virtualization software: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/897615
Making your PC as your TV is now possible with this software http://bit.ly/3iIvJk
askmanuel (Ask Manuel) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:25:12 -0000
Making your PC as your TV is now possible with this software http://bit.ly/3iIvJk
RT @edoPenticton: CFDC Okanagan-Similkameen joins list of financial supporters of Windward Software Dragons Den YE competition
windward_pos (Windward Software) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:25:09 -0000
RT @edoPenticton: CFDC Okanagan-Similkameen joins list of financial supporters of Windward Software Dragons Den YE competition

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