It’s a question more for technophiles, for technology enthusiasts. Program and software sometimes merge in our heads, hearing these two words, we wonder what could differentiate them, don’t we ? So let’s talk about this once and for all. What is the difference between computer program and software ?
The terms computer program and software
A computer program
A computer program is a set or sequential sequence of operations that will automatically execute on a computer medium, such as a computer. Indeed, everything that is a computer program supports automatic executions related to the work of different calculations such as logical or arithmetic calculations.
A software program
Software is a set of instructions intended to be interpreted by a machine to perform different tasks on the computer device (e. g. Dashlane for passwords, Factomos for invoicing, Wetransfer for file transfer, etc.). Software is therefore a tool to assist the user in the tasks he or she wishes to perform on his or her machine. The software therefore exists to give meaning to the computer’s work. More precisely, no task is possible on a computer without the software. We can say that the computer with only its « hardware » part is nothing without the « software » part. We can say that the hardware is the body, and the software the brain or the soul :).
The difference between computer program and software
Distinguishing a program from a software is quite easy after understanding the respective definitions of the two terms. A program is a simple sequence of operations allowing the automatic execution of digital writings on a computer device, and a software is a set of computer programs. In a software, there can be several programs. Basically, a program is a bit like the basis of software, because it takes several programs to create software.
Once a software program is programmed, it is put on a medium (CD, DVD, etc.), with a license and it will be marketed. On the other hand, the various programs that make up software are subject to copyright, i.e. a right of the person who wrote the program codes. The rights of software programmers are therefore mainly protected by law.
I think now that you have a clear understanding of the difference between program and software. Just remember that software is a set of programs that are executed by the computer to perform tasks on it.
