Software Definition and 996 Threads

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. S

    Software product & socio-technical system

    Homework Statement What are the differences and similarities between a software product & socio-technical system? Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution socio-technical system : Systems that include technical systems but also operational processes and people who use and interact with...
  2. L

    Lighter matlab descrete convolution software

    A while back I tended a course in transform methods. During the course we were handed a MAtlab program that could be used to simulate convotution called Discrete Convolution Demo. It's kind of big or you might say bloated and I'd like some lightweight version or something. If someone know some...
  3. 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...
  4. StevieTNZ

    Windows Software for Experimental Set-up Design

    Perhaps someone may be able to suggest (Windows) software that I could use that allows me to draw experimental set-up schemes on my computer (i.e. include images such as beam splitters, wave plates, PBS’s) without much hassle? Anything that is open-source, perhaps? And easy to use? Otherwise...
  5. M

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

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  6. 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?
  7. A

    Computer Software Engineering vs Chemical Engineering

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  8. Jameson

    MHB Integrating Desmos Graphing Software with MHB

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  9. S

    Solving Steady Fokker-Planck Equation in 2D using standard software

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  10. M

    Best book for software and hardware

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  11. F

    Mathematica Software for Math: Get Started with Mathematica/Maple!

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  12. J

    What Is the Best Aerospace Design Software for a High Performance GA Aircraft?

    Hello all... I'm new to Physics Forums so I'm not sure if I'm posting this in the correct area but here goes anyway... I'm interesed in designing a high performance composite GA (general avaiation) aircraft but need some assistance with selecting a good design software. I'm primarily...
  13. C

    Unsure about software internship

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  14. A

    Data analysis software for hydrology research

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  15. J

    Is there a free software to program an Atmega 168-PU Atmel microconller?

    So, I'm trying to build a circuit to control 4 motors that will depend on the output from 3 gyros, I have the circuit all set with the components just having trouble programming the chip because i know that it can be programmed, can anyone help?
  16. S

    Looking for free Math Software that:

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  17. S

    Display Voltage Readings on a PC with VOLTAGE READER Software | 89s52 Circuit

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  18. M

    Engineering Is computer engineering the same as software engineering

    Is software engineering another name for computer engineering or is it diffrant and more specifc and can a computer engineer apply for a software engineer job?
  19. B

    How is compiler software compiled?

    If a compiler using a particular programming language is used to compile software and convert it from text files to executable application files, then how is the source code written for the compiler itself compiled so that it will have its own executable files?
  20. H

    Tool or software able to find the length of the sides

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  21. G

    Electrical Circuit Drawing Software

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  22. I

    Question on software free trials

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  23. PhizKid

    Physical calculator vs. netbook software

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  24. Y

    History of OrCad pcb layout software

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  25. Y

    Any Free Programs to Unzip a Zip File?

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  26. P

    Create Stunning Optics Schemes with Our Software - Perfect for Academics

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  27. S

    Best Circuit simulation Software?

    I recently downloaded LTSpice IV to use for testing circuits. Before I start to really learn the software I'd like to know if it's what I should be using or if there's something better. Basically I'm just testing simple circuits, but I do need the software to have a virtual oscilloscope.
  28. S

    Help with a software to develop application

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  29. H

    Which software for a stress-strain curve?

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  30. Y

    Any safe free software to convert Word to PDF?

    Any suggestion on a free program to convert Word to PDF. I was playing around and I got malware that I am still trying to clean up. Thanks
  31. R

    Whats the best statistics software?

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  32. A

    Program / Software for class notes and summaries

    Hi there, does anyone know a software or program that i can use to quickly sketch / draw and write as if i was writing in pencil ? For instance, paint is of no use, because it can't be edited. Photoshop is kind of hard to simply make straight or curvy lines without too much trouble. So...
  33. H

    Fed up with endnote - better citation software, anyone?

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  34. C

    Convert graph to equatio (software)

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  35. R

    What type of software to configure coils, inductors, transformers?

    What type of software? Hello everyone, I'm looking for a simple software program that I may be able to configure coils, inductors, transformers, core selection etc. Basic ic availability, selection of switches, LEDs, types/strenghths/shapes of permanent magnets. I'm aware that there is a lot...
  36. T

    How can I learn R for statistics software without prior knowledge?

    Hi all, I've been asked to learn how to use the R for statistics software at work. I know "basic" stats theory such as linear/multiple regression, t-tests, ANOVA etc, and have used other software packages such as Excel, SPSS, but never R. Can anyone recommend any good books/websites to get me...
  37. B

    Need good backup software, not only free

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  38. B

    Choosing Between Software and Hardware Engineering

    Hi. A few qualifying statements: 1. I know that you don't know me, but based on the info provided, what do you think? 2. The cost of education is worth it to me. My conundrum: whether to major in Hardware or Software Engineering? About me: I'm solid in math, I've built...
  39. J

    Solving for tensile test(materials) in FEM software

    Homework Statement I have to solve for the stress-strain curve of a tensile test(materials science) given the following data: d0 = 10 [mm]; d=9.925[mm] (average after d1' and d1'') and L0 = 100[mm]; I have already solved the problem and charted the diagrams. But I would be most grateful if...
  40. S

    Software to draw free body diagrams and vector diagrams

    Hello Could anyone recommend me a software to draw draw free body diagrams, vector diagrams, spherical/cylindrical coordinates systems etc. I am doing a project on electromagnetics and I am supposed to put everything in a digital format. Thanks
  41. F

    Development of Central management software for The Financial Training Academy

    I want to prepare a demo for my client the financial training academy and they want to provide a fully functional demo of the software to prove we are not a scam. As the name suggests the company's most of the work would use financial and accounting. So, is this a good idea to use the SQL...
  42. P

    Low Pass Filter in Software question

    Hi Everyone, I read an article by Barry L. Dorr about how to implement a Low Pass Filter in software, however, the equation that he gave confused me as I didn't see any sort of convergence to the value desired. So here is the equation: y(n) = (1 - 2^(-k)) * y(n-1) + x(n) x is the input, y...
  43. A

    Java Java software for solving linear systems

    Hi, I made this program in java, take a look: https://github.com/BetoKahn/Gauss For the english version I didn't uploaded the code, only the runnable .jar file. For the portuguese speakers you can see the code. I hope you enjoy,
  44. M

    Calculators Is Paying for Anti-Virus Software Worth It?

    The latest issue of Consumer Reports has a discussion of anti-virus software (free and pay). Between free and pay there isn't any significant difference in performance between the four free programs and the better pay programs. The main thing that pay programs offer are complete packages...
  45. N

    A design using quartus software, can't figure out how to choose my choice

    hello, i designed a project and i finished it my final step is i want the user to enter 3 bits if it was 000 i will do the first choice, which has 4 inputs and 14 outputs displayed on the 2 digit 7 segment dispaly if it was 001 i will do the second choice, which has 5 inputs and 7 outputs...
  46. P

    How is Software Project Cost Calculated in Microsoft's Project 2010?

    I skip a couple of video tutorials on Microsoft's Project 2010 , and come across a little problem because they all specify the project cost as an essential part that is excel-computed into a single file before sending to someone sitting up...above. I wonder how the software project cost is...
  47. J

    Aerospace Software: What Fresh Engineers Must Know

    Hi, Can someone tell me what is the sofware used in Aeropace, the sofware a fresh engineer must master perfectly, those the employers will not give you a job if you don't know how to use them from the start? And what are in your opinion the same sofwares for a Mechanical Engineer? thanks
  48. G

    Find Video & Drawing Software Tutorials

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  49. B

    Fortran Fortran: help with arguments to a pre-built software

    There are two functions that I need help with: http://www.maths.uq.edu.au/expokit/fortran/dgpadm.f http://www.maths.uq.edu.au/expokit/fortran/dgchbv.f The problem I'm having is that the arguments on the line DGPADM(...) don't match identically with the explanation. For example, H, ldh...
  50. M

    Prevention of intrusion (free software)

    When I am surfing the net there are many times where an intruder comes up and not the site I clicked on. If I repeat clicking on the same spot, eventually the site that was supposed to show up actually does. Is there any software (for Firefox at least) to prevent the intrusion?
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