Software

Software consists of <a href="/facts/Computer_program/e38jH9N9">computer programs</a> that instruct the <a href="/facts/Execution_(computing)/1fyfGMFm">execution</a> of a <a href="/facts/Computer/SQe1aK05">computer</a>. Software also includes design documents and specifications.
The history of software is closely tied to the development of digital computers in the mid-20th century. Early programs were written in the <a href="/facts/Machine_language/bgdQ1Fxf">machine language</a> specific to the hardware. The introduction of <a href="/facts/High-level_programming_language/smjECUhx">high-level programming languages</a> in 1958 allowed for more human-readable instructions, making <a href="/facts/Software_development/UUfsAaYY">software development</a> easier and more portable across different <a href="/facts/Computer_architecture/tHtwxgR2">computer architectures</a>. Software in a programming language is run through a <a href="/facts/Compiler/WNfCDFJe">compiler</a> or <a href="/facts/Interpreter_(computing)/JB85fbyb">interpreter</a> to <a href="/facts/Execution_(computing)/1fyfGMFm">execute</a> on the architecture's hardware. Over time, software has become complex, owing to developments in <a href="/facts/Computer_network/3w5RM99p">networking</a>, <a href="/facts/Operating_systems/8XTuvMh2">operating systems</a>, and <a href="/facts/Databases/VYcpkevb">databases</a>.
Software can generally be categorized into two main types:

<ol><li><a href="/facts/Operating_system/8XTuvMh2">operating systems</a>, which manage hardware resources and provide services for applications</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Application_software/YQuj7Kog">application software</a>, which performs specific tasks for users</li></ol>
The rise of <a href="/facts/Cloud_computing/guhg0FGV">cloud computing</a> has introduced the new software delivery model <a href="/facts/Software_as_a_Service/LPyPQ5b7">Software as a Service</a> (SaaS). In SaaS, applications are hosted by a <a href="/facts/Application_service_provider/72Vs5gQU">provider</a> and <a href="/facts/HTTP/TWtvf7JD">accessed</a> over the <a href="/facts/Internet/Xw1rVvJU">Internet</a>.
The process of developing software involves several stages. The stages include <a href="/facts/Software_design/61rGr5Ej">software design</a>, <a href="/facts/Computer_programming/QmSsFnu0">programming</a>, <a href="/facts/Software_testing/VoXzG9Tb">testing</a>, <a href="/facts/Software_release_life_cycle/z4Q4RElA">release</a>, and <a href="/facts/Software_maintenance/Uv39zQb0">maintenance</a>. <a href="/facts/Software_quality_assurance/zw6IGxp1">Software quality assurance</a> and <a href="/facts/Information_security/horlrCln">security</a> are critical aspects of software development, as <a href="/facts/Computer_bug/I1uSXySv">bugs</a> and <a href="/facts/Vulnerability_(computing)/jg0Gr71M">security vulnerabilities</a> can lead to system failures and security breaches. Additionally, legal issues such as software licenses and intellectual property rights play a significant role in the distribution of software products.

Software open-in-new

Software