Definition of Software

Babylon English
software
n. programs which control the functions of a computer's hardware

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Software definition was found in categories: Computer & Internet(8)  Language, Idioms & Slang(5)  Business & Finance(2)  Science & Technology(4)  Encyclopedia(1)  

Software Definition from Computer & Internet Dictionaries & Glossaries

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<programming> (Or "computer program", "program", "code") The instructions executed by a computer, as opposed to the physical device on which they run (the "hardware").
The term was coined by the eminent statistician, John Tukey.
Programs stored on non-volatile storage built from integrated circuits (e.g. ROM or PROM) are usually called firmware.
Software can be split into two main types - system software and application software or application programs. System software is any software required to support the production or execution of application programs but which is not specific to any particular application. Examples of system software would include the operating systemcompilers, editors and sorting programs.
Examples of application programs would include an accounts package or a CAD program. Other broad classes of application software include real-time software, business software, scientific and engineering software, embedded software, personal computer software and artificial intelligence software.
Software includes both source code written by humans and executable machine code produced by assemblers or compilers. It does not usually include the data processed by programs unless this is in a format such as multimedia which depends on the use of computers for its presentation. This distinction becomes unclear in cases such as spread sheets which can contain both instructions (formulae and macros) and data. There are also various intermediate compiled or semi-compiled, forms of software such as library files and byte-code.
Some claim that documentation (both paper and electronic) is also software. Others go further and define software to be programs plus documentation though this does not correspond with common usage.
The noun "program" describes a single, complete and more-or-less self-contained list of instructions, often stored in a single file, whereas "code" and "software" are uncountable nouns describing some number of instructions which may constitute one or more programs or part thereof. Most programs, however, rely heavily on various kinds of operating system software for their execution. The nounds "code" and "software" both refer to the same thing but "code" tends to suggest an interest in the implementation details whereas "software" is more of a user's term.
(2002-07-21)

Glossary of the European Information Society
Software
That which belongs to the domain of intellectual creation in contrast to the appliances which facilitates their reproduction. The programmes for computers, CD-ROM and video games are all software.

A Glossary of Internet & PC Terminology
Software
Software is basically a series of instructions that causes the PC to do something. The Operating System such as DOS is known as Systems Software. Application Programs such as a Word Processor or Spreadsheet perform the main tasks for which we use the PC i.e. a letter to Mum or managing the finances.

Multimedia Glossary
software
another name for computer programs (step by step instructions that tell a computer how to accomplish a certain task)

Internet Glossary
Software
Instructions for the computer. A series of instructions that performs a particular task is called a program. The two major categories of software are system software and application software. System software is made up of control programs such as the operating system and database management system (DBMS). Application software is any program that processes data for the user (inventory, payroll, spreadsheet, word processor, etc.). A common misconception is that software is data. It is not. Software tells the hardware how to process the data. Software is "run." Data is "processed." Software deals with the details of an ever-changing business and must process transactions in a logical fashion. Languages are used to program the software. The "logic and language" involved in analysis and programming is generally far more complicated than specifying a storage and transmission requirement. Microsoft is a well-known maker of software.

Panda Software Glossary
Software
Files, programs, applications and operating systems that enable users to operate computers or other IT systems. These are the elements that make the hardware work.

Electronic Music Glossary
Software
The programs or sets of instructions describing the tasks to be performed by a computer.

MIDI & COMPUTER MUSIC GLOSSARY
SOFTWARE
You're kidding aren't you! You've got this far and you're still wondering what software is?? Go directly to jail, do not pass go.........


Software Definition from Language, Idioms & Slang Dictionaries & Glossaries

WordNet 2.0
software

Noun
1. (computer science) written programs or procedures or rules and associated documentation pertaining to the operation of a computer system and that are stored in read/write memory; "the market for software is expected to expand"
(synonym) software system, software package, package
(antonym) hardware, computer hardware
(hypernym) code, computer code
(hyponym) alpha software
(classification) computer science, computing

ENGLISH IDIOMS 2.EDITION
software
computer programs, courseware This accounting software is very easy to use.

English Idioms WM 1.3a
software
computer programs
This accounting software is very easy to use.

hEnglish - advanced version

Concise English-Irish Dictionary v. 1.1
software
bogearraí, earra bog
software tools: bog-uirlisí


Software Definition from Business & Finance Dictionaries & Glossaries

Glossary of petroleum Industry
Software
The collection of programs used in a particular application for use in a computer. Tapes, cards, disk packs containing programs designed for a process or series of processes.

Company Info: Ticker, Name, Description
SSPE
Software Spectrum, Inc.
Exchange: Nasdaq
Resells business software for microcomputers; And offers business software technical services.


Software Definition from Science & Technology Dictionaries & Glossaries

Telecommunication Standard Terms
software
1.set of computer programs, procedures, and associated documentation concerned with the operation of a data processing system; e.g. , compilers, library routines, manuals, and circuit diagrams. [JP1] 2. Information (generally copyrightable) that may provide instructions for computers; data for documentation; and voice, video, and music for entertainment or education.

LAN application (software)
An application software package specifically designed to operate in a local-area-network environment.

Technical English by wpv
Software
Generally, programs loaded into a computer from external mass storage but also extended to include operating systems and documentation.

Fishery Glossary
Software
The computer operating systems, languages and programs which enable the user to perform the functions desired on the computer. Chidley et al. (1993).

Web Dictionary of Cybernetics and Systems
Software
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Software Definition from Encyclopedia Dictionaries & Glossaries

Wikipedia English - The Free Encyclopedia
Computer software
Computer software is a general term used to describe a collection of computer programs, procedures and documentation that perform some task on a computer system. The term includes application software such as word processors which perform productive tasks for users, system software such as operating systems, which interface with hardware to provide the necessary services for application software, and middleware which controls and co-ordinates distributed systems.

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