Software

Software

Coded instructions that control the operation of a computer or similar electronic device. Software generally exists in one of two forms:
  • Source code. Alphanumeric instructions as originally written by a programmer in any of numerous programming languages such as Ruby on RailsJava or Python.
  • Object code. A translated version of source code instructions, in a numeric form that can be directly processed by a computer or device.
The term software is roughly synonymous with a computer program, and may refer to applications such as word processors, or system software such as database application development tools.
Software may be subject to protection as Intellectual Property (IP)​ under applicable Copyright​, patent and Trade Secret​ laws.

    • Related Articles

    • Software as a Service (SaaS)

      Software as a service is a software licensing and delivery model in which software is licensed on a subscription basis and is centrally hosted. It is sometimes referred to as "on-demand software". The remote hosting, management and support ...
    • Virtual Desktop Infrastructure

      A software technology that separates the desktop environment and its application software from the physical client device that is used to access it.
    • Software-defined networking

      Software-defined networking (SDN) technology is an approach to network management that enables dynamic, programmatically efficient network configuration in order to improve network performance and monitoring, making it more like cloud computing than ...
    • Object Code

      A form of computer Software consisting of numerically coded instructions that can be processed directly by a computer or other device to control its operation. Object code is translated (using a special-purpose software program such as a compiler or ...
    • Source Code

      A collection of computer instructions written in alphanumeric text, using a human-readable computer language such as Ruby on Rails, Java or Python. The source code for a Software program describes specific actions to be performed by a computer or ...