Computer Software

The ingredient that enables a computer to perform a specific task is software, which consists of instructions. A set of instructions that drive a computer to perform specific tasks is called a program. These instructions tell the machine's physical components what to do; without the instructions, a computer could not do anything at all. When a computer uses a particular program, it is said to be running or executing that program. Although the array of available programs is vast and varied, most software falls into two major categories: system software and application software.