What is Software: Definition and 997 Discussions

Software is a collection of instructions and data that tell a computer how to work. This is in contrast to physical hardware, from which the system is built and actually performs the work. In computer science and software engineering, computer software is all information processed by computer systems, including programs and data. Computer software includes computer programs, libraries and related non-executable data, such as online documentation or digital media. Computer hardware and software require each other and neither can be realistically used on its own.
At the lowest programming level, executable code consists of machine language instructions supported by an individual processor—typically a central processing unit (CPU) or a graphics processing unit (GPU). A machine language consists of groups of binary values signifying processor instructions that change the state of the computer from its preceding state. For example, an instruction may change the value stored in a particular storage location in the computer—an effect that is not directly observable to the user. An instruction may also invoke one of many input or output operations, for example displaying some text on a computer screen; causing state changes which should be visible to the user. The processor executes the instructions in the order they are provided, unless it is instructed to "jump" to a different instruction, or is interrupted by the operating system. As of 2015, most personal computers, smartphone devices and servers have processors with multiple execution units or multiple processors performing computation together, and computing has become a much more concurrent activity than in the past.
The majority of software is written in high-level programming languages. They are easier and more efficient for programmers because they are closer to natural languages than machine languages. High-level languages are translated into machine language using a compiler or an interpreter or a combination of the two. Software may also be written in a low-level assembly language, which has strong correspondence to the computer's machine language instructions and is translated into machine language using an assembler.

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  1. Ascendant78

    What software is useful for a physics major?

    I am just finishing my freshman year as a physics major. I am wondering what software might be useful to get my hands on at this point? In chemistry, we used computers with Linux because he said they are able to process the information much faster than a Windows-based computer. Will most of...
  2. A

    Free Finite Element Analysis Software

    Anyone know of some good, free finite element analysis software? I used NASTRAN in college, but from what I can tell that costs at least several thousand.
  3. M

    Online Interactive Curve (B-Spline, NURBS) Software?

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  4. M

    User friendly circuit schematic software

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  5. Z

    Anyone here who has studied/is studying software engineering?

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  6. T

    Is this a good salary for a software developer?

    I'm fresh out of college (21 years old) and i was recently offered an offer for 25/hour (40 hours) as an entry level software developer. My original plan was to go to graduate school but, ~52,000+ sounds too good for me to pass up. The company also supports its employees by paying for them to...
  7. B

    Questionable results with simulation software

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  8. T

    Dynamic Math Software for Online Tutoring

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  9. A

    Is there a object tracking software?

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  10. f95toli

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  11. C

    A good archiving/library software for notes?

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  12. L

    Top Software Picks for Electric Circuit Diagram Design

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  13. M

    Circuit Simulation Software

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  14. I

    Looking to be proactive for Software Engineering program

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  15. STEMucator

    Engineering CompSci vs Software Engineering

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  16. B

    What Is the Best Software for Drawing Graph Theory Networks?

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  17. H

    I need a simulation software for Frequency Planning really need it

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  18. H

    Engineering From MS in Math to software engineering, experience with webapps

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  19. K

    Engineering Computer engineer to a software developer?

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  20. S

    Software to solve Nonlinear Systems (ineq and eq)

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  21. W

    Software for General Relativity

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  22. E

    Computer Science vs. Computer Engineering vs. Software Engineering

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  23. G

    About nuclear fuel cycle simulation software

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  24. D

    Mathematica Allotting more resources to mathematical software

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  25. T

    Music Music conversion software (to 12 notes only)

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  26. C

    Computer Science or Software Engineering?

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  27. M

    Calculators Anti-virus software evaluation

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  28. C

    Software engineering instead of mechanical engineering

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  29. J

    From Software Development to Math/Science?

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  30. P

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  31. A

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  32. P

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  33. C

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  34. J

    Is there free software for drawing chemical stick models?

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  35. V

    What Degree Should I Pursue for a Career in VFX and Animation?

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  36. U

    Graphing/plotting software in Linux

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  37. C

    Good software for writing chemistry (chemical equations)

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  38. S

    Engineering Job market for software engineers for the next few decades?

    Hello dear members, I am a college freshman majoring in undeclared major. (:P) I have strong passion for music and mathematics, but I think I will have a hard time finding a decent job if I combine those two. So as of now I am thinking of majoring music and computer science. I hear that the...
  39. C

    Best math software for writing math?

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  40. M

    Is there any other software to visualise n-body interaction of charged particles

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  41. M

    Software to draw specific triangles?

    Hello, I am working on a project that involves using 2D triangles to build 3D models and I am looking for software that will allow me to draw 2D triangles based on the triangles 3 edge lengths (ex: 4 cm x 5 cm x 3 cm). Most of the software I have found requires knowing either the triangles...
  42. P

    Physics A physics major is not good preparation for a career in software development

    Whenever people ask what jobs they can do with a B.S. in physics (and to a lesser extent with an M.S. or Ph.D.), one of the first suggestions offered is that they can become a programmer. In my opinion, this is seriously wrong and harmful advice. Look at the standard courses that physics...
  43. S

    Software product & socio-technical system

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  44. L

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  45. Mech_Engineer

    Is free (or very cheap) FEA software really available and worth it?

    Last night I tried answering a question I've had for a while- can you really do a proper FEA analysis using free (or at least very cheap) software? I've found myself recommending a couple of times to find a free FEA package for running an analysis on simple geometries, but I don't actually have...
  46. StevieTNZ

    Windows Software for Experimental Set-up Design

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  47. M

    Which software can I use which lets me make 2 videos into one clip

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  48. G

    What are the best software options for pipe work design?

    What are some usefull softwares to use for pipe work design? Are there any softwares where you can select material? Can design to specific standards?
  49. A

    Computer Software Engineering vs Chemical Engineering

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  50. Jameson

    MHB Integrating Desmos Graphing Software with MHB

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