Computer software (or simply software) is the programs and procedures that enable a computer to perform a specific task, as opposed to the physical components of the system (hardware). This includes application software such as a word processor, which enables a user to perform a task, and system software such as an operating system, which enables other software to run properly, by interfacing with hardware and with other software.

The term "software" was first used in this sense by John W. Tukey in 1957. In computer science and software engineering, computer software is all information processed by computer systems, programs and data. The concept of reading different sequences of instructions into the memory of a device to control computations was invented by Charles Babbage as part of his difference engine. The theory that is the basis for most modern software was first proposed by Alan Turing in his 1935 essay Computable numbers with an application to the Entscheidungsproblem. Hally, Mike (2005:79). Electronic brains/Stories from the dawn of the computer age. British Broadcasting Corporation and Granta Books, London. ISBN 1-86-207663-4.

Relationship to hardware

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Computer software is so called in contrast to computer hardware, which encompasses the physical interconnections and devices required to store and execute (or run) the software. In computers, software is loaded into RAM and executed in the central processing unit. At the lowest level, software consists of a machine language specific to an individual processor. A machine language consists of groups of binary values signifying processor instructions (object code), which change the state of the computer from its preceding state. Software is an ordered sequence of instructions for changing the state of the computer hardware in a particular sequence. It is generally written in high-level programming languages that are easier and more efficient for humans to use (closer to natural language) than machine language. High-level languages are compiled or interpreted into machine language object code. Software may also be written in an assembly language, essentially, a mnemonic representation of a machine language using a natural language alphabet. Assembly language must be assembled into object code via an assembler.

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AdvancedImagingPro.com: Software

Mercury Computer Systems Brings 10th AMC to Market for AdvancedTCA and MicroTCA Platforms
rss@advancedimagingpro.com (via PRNewswire) Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:26:00 -0500
Mercury Computer Systems, Inc. announced availability and pending shipment of its newest Serial RapidIO-based AMC (Advanced Mezzanine Card), to a customer inthe telecom equipment market.
AVIA Private Eye™ Helps Companies Catch Counterfeiters
rss@advancedimagingpro.com Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:26:00 -0500
The Value Engineering Alliance announced the availability of AVIA Private Eye, an integrated PC-based software and hardware system, that can be used by investigators to efficiently and effectively examine authentic and suspect packages, determine whether packages in question are fakes, and generate the reports and images needed to substantiate counterfeiting claims.
RayBox Brings Simplicity to 3D Imaging
rss@advancedimagingpro.com Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:26:00 -0500
The introduction of RayBox from ARTVPS means that leading 3D rendering technology is readily accessible to visual artists and designers looking to get more from 3D image creation.
Mercury Computer Systems and IPV Limited to Bring the Power of Cell Technology to Video Playout at NAB2007
rss@advancedimagingpro.com (via PRNewswire) Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:26:00 -0500
Mercury Computer Systems, Inc. and IPV Limited announced that they will hold demonstrations of Cell Technology for the professional videomarket at NAB2007.
HALCON 8.0 In Summer 2007
rss@advancedimagingpro.com Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:26:00 -0500
After two years, MVTec Software GmbH will launch the new version of its software library-HALCON 8.0.
ARTISTACONTROLCENTER LITE
rss@advancedimagingpro.com Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:26:00 -0500
Apollo Display Technologies' new ARTISTACONTROLCENTERLITE software works in conjunction with the patented ArtistaNET™ or ArtistaUSB™ display controllers to control multiple displays simultaneously displaying similar or different content with just one user PC via connection to a LAN or USB interface.
TracePro 4.0 Optical Design Software
rss@advancedimagingpro.com Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:26:00 -0500
Lambda Research Corporation announces availability of TracePro 4.0, a new release of its software for optical modeling, design and analysis.
Basler's eXcite Intelligent Camera Series Now Supports Release 7.1.1 of HALCON from MVTec Software GmbH
rss@advancedimagingpro.com Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:26:00 -0500
HALCON is an extensive software library for industrial image processing that contains more than 1150 operators and offers outstanding performance.
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