We explain what a computer program is, the types of software that we can use and some examples of these programs.
What is a computer program?
A computer program or computer program is a piece of software, that is, a complex sequence of instructions and processes orchestrated to accomplish a specific task in a computer or computer system. These programs may be programs pre-installed on the computer, such as the Operating system that controls all the operation of the same, or can be added additionally by the user.
In general, computer programs have a certain margin of computer system resources while they are being executed, and they fulfill all kinds of roles in it, from controlling the resources and internal operations of the computer, to mediating with it. Username and allow you to work, recreate, explore Internet, etc.
These programs are the work of programmers, professionals in the computing that make up the matrix code (source code) of each piece of software and that are in some way its “authors”.
Said code consists of instructions (declarative or imperative) that are then converted into executable files by the user or by the system and executed in the Central Processing Unit (CPU).
For their creation, the programmers use, in turn, computer programs that are used to write these codes, that is, software which is used to make software and is known asprogramming language.
On the other hand, many computer programs are capable of being updated and modified by downloading data from the Internet, keeping up-to-date or redefining their components, as is the case with computers. Antivirus Programs or with the Operating Systems respectively.
Computer programs are part of the intellectual property of their creators, although in many cases they are released free of charge or under licenses fromcopyleft, much more permissive and that do not require a payment for the use of the program.
Types of computer programs
The main classification of computer programs attends to their nature, dividing them into two classes:
- System software. Those basic programs that allow the use of the computer, linking the user with the different hardware and / or network aspects of the system, as well as with the applications installed on it. This type of program supports the applications and in many cases they are already installed and even embedded in the computer. For example: controllers hardware, Operating Systems, command lines, etc.
- app software. All the diversity of secondary programs that we can download or install on our computer and that allow us to carry out numerous functions: text, spreadsheets, Web browsers, video games, telecommunications software, media players, etc.
Computer program examples
Some examples of computer programs of various kinds are:
- Windows. The most popular operating system commercially speaking, owned by the company Microsoft, chaired by Bill Gates. It is a computer management system that operates on the basis of windows that allow you to view its content separately from the others, simultaneously.
- Google Chrome. It is a browser for the Internet, published by the company Google and distributed for free on the web. It has been listed as one of the lightest and fastest in its area.
- OpenOffice. It is a free and open distribution suite of office applications that competes with the more popular paid versions. It has a word processor (Writer), a spreadsheet (Calc), a presentation and slide program (Impress), a database (Base), a mathematical formula editor (Math) and a graphics editor (Draw ).
- Call of Duty. Title of a series of first-person shooter video games belonging to the business Infinity Ward and distributed by Activision. It is one of the most popular video games of its kind and has often been controversial for its violence and underlying political content.
- MediaMonkey. A multimedia player software (audio and video) developed by Ventis Media Inc., which allows organizing, tagging and playing multimedia files on a platform Windows anyone.
- Adobe Illustrator. Vector graphics editing program that mimics a workshop art, since it operates on the basis of a drawing board called a "work table" and in which artistic design and illustration can be given free rein. It was created by Adobe Systems and is part of the Adobe Creative Cloud package.