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.

View More On Wikipedia.org
Recent contents Top users
  1. E

    What is the best software for truss buckling analysis?

    Hello everybody! From time to time, I'd like to compute the minimum force that buckles a truss, and hand computations get quickly too complicated. So: could you recommend me a piece of software for that? What I need: - Quickly learned and installed, for Windows, free of nearly (I know...
  2. B

    Software for transient states of circuits

    Hello, So is there any software, that generates the differential equation for the input circuit? I am trying to solve a problem and I want to check if my equation is right. Thanks.
  3. A

    What is the best 3d CAD software?

    Currently I'm teaching myself Autodesk Inventor and it seems to be going pretty well. I was wondering though, in the job market what program is most used? Also what program is the most powerful in the design process? I guess what I'm really looking for is the program that would most benefit me...
  4. J

    Optics software recommendation?

    I'm looking for a piece of software that could assist in developing a schematic of an optics setup with train traces. Doesn't have to be fantastically involved (ie cheap/free is best), but I'm finding that drawing and updating lines in 2d solidworks gets tedious (unless I program tons of...
  5. F

    Number series recognition software?

    Does anybody know if there is any software available that is capable of recognizing patterns in a series of numbers (and possibly predicting the next number to appear)? Here's an example of what I'm looking for...
  6. C

    Choosing a Software Tool for DFT Analysis: Gaussian09 vs VASP

    Hi Everyone, I am a PhD student working on different collector molecules used in flotation process (an important mineral separation process). One of the important part of my project will be to study the reactivity of different types of collectors towards some particular mineral(s) by using...
  7. S

    Have you tried FreeCAD or DraftSight as alternatives to expensive CAD software?

    Currently digging in FreeCAD and I like what I see. Still very much in the development phase with lots of functionality that needs to be implemented. I've heard of DraftSight, not sure how well that works. The reason for this is that commercial CAD software is *wicked* expensive. Hundreds...
  8. M

    Ontario Universities for Software Engineering

    Helloo everyone, I'm in Grade 12, Vancouver, B.C. Actually I'm planning to apply to Universities in Ontario under "Software Engineering" for next year and need your guys help in deciding the best Universities. Apart form Waterloo(UW) and Toronto(UofT) - which i'll be definitely applying to -...
  9. Low-Q

    3D software for magnetic problems

    Hi, Does anyone here know of a software where I can simulate magnetism in 3D - except the expensive Maxwell 3D? Vidar
  10. D

    Software to analyse simple continous beam

    does anyone have any idea which software i should try to analyse simple continuous beam??..i just want to try the trial one because this is my homework.. can give suggestion?? thanks:smile:
  11. X

    Beginner Ebook to understand AVR hardware software detail and clearlt

    I am currently in 7th semester majoring in Electrical Engineering concentration in control... Taking the major course in microcomputer interfacing makes me feel the difficulties in EE... I don't have the basic in programming It's my first time to deal with how cpu in avr works The lecturer...
  12. H

    Graphing and Data Analysis software?

    Hello everyone, I was wondering what software you all find useful for analyzing data. What I'm looking for needs to have extensive curve fitting abilities as well as error analysis tools, i.e., error bars and what not. I hope this isn't totally vague and you all have a piece of software in...
  13. J

    Which Programming Language is Dominant in Industry?

    Hello, I'm a newly graduated engineer and planning on traveling for 12 months before settling into the real world. I have 12 months to develop my skills in programming languages C++ or C#, I only have basic knowledge of C from playing with PLC software / hardware etc. My question is is...
  14. G

    Software for typing programming papers

    Just like there's LaTeX for writing math papers and LaTeX editors to parse it, is there anything for writing papers in programming? Specifically a nice way to automatically format code.
  15. G

    Good software for programming animated physical simulations?

    I'm looking for what might be best for simulating various physical phenomena - some examples off the top of my head might be how to create an animation of a double-pendulum, or a system of 250 particles that are mutually interacting, confined within some box, in an arbitrary external field (like...
  16. S

    Learning to Use Fluent Software

    how to use fluent software? i downlaoded from web but i don't know how to use it and it does not contains help documents so I am bit confused pls help me
  17. Y

    Optical Design and Simulation Software

    Hi all, I am seeking for an optical design an simulation platform. There will be splitters, combiners and mirrors with precisely adjusted angles/positions. I will input the specs and position of all the components (including the light source) and want to view the corresponding optical path...
  18. P

    Software for Calculating Geometric Transformations

    I am currently doing a course on Computer Graphics Algorithms. This involves lot of matrix transformations i.e. for eg - rotating co-ordinates, translating, reflecting etc. I am solving the problems on paper using a calculator, but I need some software which will help me verify the solution...
  19. L

    Software for Nuclear Power Plant Operation Simulation/Analysis?

    Are there some kind of software for nuclear power plant (PWR and other plant type like LMFBR) operation simulation/analysis software, not safety analysis software like RELAP and TRAC ? If you know, please tell me !
  20. S

    Wind tunnel simulation software

    Does anyone know of any simple aerodynamics simulators? Preferably one that would allow me to import a 3D model and then calculate its drag coefficient? I have done a few searches, but failed to find much of anything. Oh, and it needs to be free. Not part of some mutli-hundred dollar...
  21. S

    Writing software for a theoretical quantum computer

    Has anyone ever had the opportunity to have a theoretical quantum computer running on your PC (being simulated) and write software for it? If you have, could you tell me what you used for the quantum computer and maybe some "Hello World" code (a book explaining the 'language' and some of the...
  22. S

    Software to plot high quality figures

    What are the softwares that people usually use to create high quality schematic figures (both in 2D and 3D) suitable for publication? For example Fig 1) in http://arxiv.org/abs/1105.1787
  23. D

    Looking for hardware software interface to emulate mechanical switch

    I am a wheelchair user trying to find a way to trigger certain functions on my chair from a PC. Basically what I have right now is a switch like this: http://www.enablemart.com/Catalog/Sensitive-Switches/Micro-Light-Switch My goal is to emulate that switch with a software program, which of...
  24. putongren

    Which Majors Best Prepare for Writing Scientific Software?

    Hey all, I'm 31 years old and went to a decent school (Northwestern University) but dropped out during my Sophomore year. Thinking what I really want to do with my life for a decade, I came to the conclusion that I want to write software for scientists and astronomers. I read all the time in...
  25. C

    Engineering Can a physics major get hired as a software engineer?

    I'm wondering if I'll be able to find a job once I graduate, if my grad school plans don't pan out. I'm graduating with a BA in physics from a University of California, to be able to take computer science classes on the side (enough for a minor). Am I qualified enough to get software engineering...
  26. pairofstrings

    How to open any software and look at it's code?

    I want to open any given program and look at it's coding, can anyone tell me how it can be done?
  27. M

    Engineering Software Engineering/Computer Science vs. Engineering (all others) Career Paths

    Hi everyone. I am going into my sophomore year of college and am trying to decide my major. I would like to major in some field of engineering, but as a result of starting my freshman year in the school of biological sciences (and not liking it) it is now too late to switch my major to any...
  28. W

    Is Sigma the Only Variable Affecting Delta in Gaussian Derivative Equations?

    I have tried mathematica, and it says it lacks the means to solve it: The function g6_{\mu,\sigma}[x] represents the SIXTH derivative of a normal distribution with unspecified parameters. I am looking to solve the relation: g6_{\mu,\sigma}[\mu+ \frac{\delta}{2}] + g6_{\mu,\sigma}[\mu -...
  29. W

    How to Install SRIM Software on Windows 7

    how to install SRIM software on windows 7?
  30. B

    Need a software for working on electrical machines

    hi! i want to couple the 2 A.C. machines mechanically so i need a software to work out on this can anyone help me please...
  31. H

    Software to calculate diffraction figure at focal point of concave mirror?

    Classic paraboloidal mirror. Incoming flat wavefront of known wavelength (500 nm, green light), propagating parallel to the major axis of the mirror. The wave hits the mirror and is being sent back towards focus. At the focal plane, there's a flat CCD or some other light detector. Upon hitting...
  32. L

    Find support developing a moment of inertia calculation software

    I got the algorithm to deal with every section profile. The software would calculate the area and the moment of inertia of any section or any combination of sections in different materials. Further more, I would develop it to deal with non-linear analysis finding the stress and strain on every...
  33. A

    Help for power system analysis software

    i am looking for full version of: 1) etap 7.50 software 2) mi power software can anyone help me? my hunting in google jungle makes me crazy
  34. K

    Engineering Questions about software engineer

    Does higher level mathematics like stochastics, analysis, topology apply to software engineering? Do software engineers even use statistics/probability? Can I be a software engineer with a computer science degree? My friend said to be a software engineer, you need a software engineer degree...
  35. K

    Software that describes light intensities of pictures

    Hello, I am looking for a software that will allow me to look at the intensity of white light on a picture and display it like a histogram. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks,
  36. A

    Download "Ez-USB FX2" Software for Windows 7 (64-bit)

    hi dears i need "ez-sub fx2" for win7 64bit from where I can download it?
  37. W

    Software Learning Opportunities for Summer: CAD, Stats Anal. & PSpice

    I am home for the summer and trying to learn a decent amount of software. I already know about AutoCAD, Inventor, etc. but I can't find anything from them that lasts more than a month and has features removed maybe someone could point me out to a special offer? Also, what are the more popular...
  38. H

    3D magnetic field simulation software (open source)

    Hi Everyone, Can anyone tell me an "open source 3D MAGNETIC FIELD SIMULATION SOFTWARE", which can add more than 3 magnetic fields and then give their resultant magnetic field... Any help will be appreciable. Regards, hsn
  39. T

    Software to make computer-generated hologram

    Does anyone know software to make computer-generated holograms? Thanks.
  40. I

    Searching for Plotting Software for Windows - PhysicsForums

    Hi, I'm not sure if this is the correct section of the forum to post this but here it goes... I'm looking for some plotting software (to run on Windows) that would be suitable for general use on an undergraduate physics course. I've played with "Grapher" on OSX and it seemed like the kind of...
  41. C

    Motion Video Capture Education Software for Intro Physics Course?

    Hi, Do you know of any motion video capture education software products that are aimed at the first-year college physics course level? Thank you.
  42. K

    Engineering Technical Questions for an embedded software engineer at qualcomm?

    Hello all. I have a technical interview coming up for a job at qualcomm as an embedded software engineer. Could you PLEASE ask me some questions to help me study? It is an entry level position for a recent grad. Job is posted...
  43. M

    Recommended Software Language to Learn?

    I am just finishing up grade 11 and thought it would be worthwhile to learn a programming language over the summer. However, I'm unsure which language I would do best to learn. I can already code in Turing, HTML, and Java. I am most likely going to pursue an education in science or engineering...
  44. P

    What is the Best Chemistry Editing Software for Taking Notes and Studying?

    Hello, I am teaching myself chemistry using the khanacademy videos. I am using a wordprocessor to take notes and would like to supplement it with a suitable chemistry editor. Could somebody recommend a free or inexpensive editor?
  45. E

    Maple Finding the Right Math Software for Summer Calculus Class

    In a couple weeks, I'm going to be teaching a summer calculus class and I wanted to introduce my students to the mathematical software that can be used. However, where I teach they do not have maple or mathematica, so I have to use one of the open source programs (octave, maxima, scilab etc)...
  46. B

    Gamess (Quantum Chemistry software)

    Just curious if there are any advantages of specifying the symmetry of a molecule when trying to optimize geometry/energy using Gamess. I previously used Gaussian (which tells you the symmetry (if your initial guess was sufficient) when the calculation is complete). But really is there any...
  47. U

    How to Find the Basis of a 23D Subspace Using Maple or Matlab?

    Hi there, I have 23D subspace, defined by an equation (hyperplane) c1*x1 + ... + c24*x24 = 0; I wonder if there is an automated way to find basis of the subspace? I have access to Maple and Matlab. Thanks.
  48. D

    Lingusitics Best software to learn a language?

    Hello hello, I'm currently trying to teach myself a language, Japanese. I'm using Rosetta Stone right now and things are going great for the most part. The problem I have is that it only teaches you what can be associated with a picture which works phenomenally with vocab. You also have to infer...
  49. R

    Driver Software Requirement for Devices

    Why is it that one can immediately start transferring data from a Camera or Mobile onto a P.C. whereas ,as for a Printer , Scanner or Web Cam,one would have to first install the Program from the the CD or DVD (that came along with the product) onto the P.C. before one can transfer data from the...
  50. B

    Which software to draw math/physics figure?

    Hi, I would like to ask a question on figure drawing. When communicating math/physics idea with other people, it is inevitable that formulas and figures are needed. For formulas we have TEX or Mathtype, but for drawing figures, is there very convenient tools that could quickly give...
Back
Top