A set of instructions that directs a computer’s hardware to perform a task is called a program, or software program that processes input, manipulates data, and outputs a result. In computing, a program is a specific set of ordered operations for a computer to perform. In the modern computer that John von Neumann outlined in 1945, the program contains a one-at-a-time sequence of instructions that the computer follows. Typically, the program is put into a storage area accessible to the computer. A computer program is a set of instructions that is used as a process of creating a software program by using a programming language. Software is a set of programs that enables the hardware to perform a specific task. Programs do not have further categorization.

A computer program is a set of instructions and as a term, it can be used as a verb as well as a noun. In terms of a verb, it is used as a process of creating a software program by using a programming language. In terms of a noun, an application, program, or application software is used to perform a specific task on the computer. For example, Microsoft PowerPoint is an application, which provides a way to create documents related to the presentation. Furthermore, a browser is also an application, which allows us to browse any website.

Types of Programs

There are two categories of programs. Application programs (usually called just “applications”) are programs that people use to get their work done. Computers exist because people want to run these programs. Systems programs keep all the hardware and software running together smoothly. The difference between “application program” and “system program” is fuzzy. Often it is more a matter of marketing than of logic.

Application Programs	Systems Programs
Word processors Game programs Spreadsheets Data base systems Graphics programs Web browsers	Operating system. Networking system. Database system. Programming language software. Web site server. Data backup.

The most important systems program is the operating system. The operating system is always present when the computer is running. It coordinates the operation of all the hardware and software components of the computer system. The operating system is responsible for starting application programs running and finding the resources that they need. When an application program is running, the operating system manages the details of the hardware for it. For example, when you type characters on the keyboard, the operating system determines which application program they are intended for and does the work of getting them there.

Modern operating systems usually come with a user interface that enables users to easily interact with application programs (and with the operating system itself) by using windows, buttons, menus, icons, the mouse, and the keyboard. Examples of operating systems are Unix, Windows 98, Windows NT, Linux, Solaris, and System 7.

Difference between Applications and programs

All applications can be called a program, but a program cannot be an application. An application is a collection of programs that are designed to help the end-users to achieve a purpose. These programs communicate with each other to perform tasks or activities. It cannot exist without a program and functions to carry out end-user commands. Whereas, a program is a collection of instructions that describes the computer what task to perform.

What is the purpose of a program?

The program enables the computer to perform a particular operation. Without application software (programs), a computer can operate with the operating system, but it cannot perform any specific task. For example, if you want to create a Word document, you have to install Microsoft Word on your computer. It is a program or application software that instructs the computer on how to create, edit, and save a document or a file.

Basic functions of a program

The function of a program depends upon the type of program. For example, the function of the Microsoft Excel program is to create, edit, and view documents related to calculation and data analysis, etc. The function of an internet browser is to find information on the World Wide Web and display it on the screen. A program is designed to execute a particular task or function. For example, an Excel program can create a document, but it cannot find the information on the World Wide Web like a browser

What was the first program?

Tom Kilburn wrote the first software program to hold in electronic memory. It was successfully executed at the University of Manchester, England, on 21 June 1948. This program was computed as the greatest factor of the integer 218 = 262,144. The computer was called the mall Scale Experimental Machine (SSM), which was known as the Manchester Baby.  This occurrence is considered the birth of the first software.

Examples of computer programs

Today, there are various types of programs available for mobile phones, computers, and other devices. The below table contains some examples of programs with their category and brief description.

Programming functions are like the machines in our factory. Each does a specific job, and may have parameters, or inputs, and produce some return values, or outputs. We’ll talk about these more in the next few steps. You will have used some functions already, perhaps without even knowing about it.

Program	Category	Description
Google Chrome	Internet Browser	It is an internet browser that was introduced by Google on 11 December 2008. It is used to retrieve the information available on the World Wide Web and display it on the device screen. It provides various types of features to help the users, such as tabbed browsing, synchronization with Google services and accounts, spell check, and automatic translation of web pages. Additionally, it has a search bar or Omnibox, which allows users to search for any query.
C	Programming Language	It is a general-purpose programming language, which is used to develop the software. It was released in 1972 after it was developed at Bell Labs by Dennis Ritchie. It is widely used for writing complex programs such as Python, Git, Oracle database, etc. Furthermore, it includes more features such as simplicity and efficiency, portability, rich library, extensible, high-speed, and more.
Skype	Chat and VoIP	Skype is a program that allows users to chat and make VOIP (voice over internet protocol) calls anywhere in the World. A Skype user can call for free to another Skype user anywhere in the world.
Adobe Photoshop	Photo Editor	It is an image editing program, that runs on macOS or Windows computers. It supports all types of file formats as well as JPEG, Targa, GIF, BMP, HEIF, etc. It provides users with many tools to create, edit, and enhance the quality of an image, including a real-life painting, creating an animated GIF from an image, or short video files.
Microsoft Word	Word processor	It is a word processor program. It was developed by Charles Simonyi and Richard Brodie, and published by Microsoft. It was introduced on 25 October 1983. You can use the Word program on Microsoft Windows, Android, Apple iOS, and Apple macOS. Furthermore, it can also be run on the Linux OS with the help of WINE.
FileZilla	FTP	FileZilla is an open-source software program that allows users to transfer files from a local computer to a remote computer. It is usable as a client version as well as a server version. It includes more features, including important features such as Transfer Queue, Site Manager, File, Folder View, and Directory Comparison.
Microsoft Excel	Spreadsheet	It is a software program, which provides a spreadsheet to create documents related to calculation, data analysis, and more. It is developed by Microsoft on 30 September 1985. When it was in the developing phase, its code name was Odyssey. If you want to create a monthly budget report, salary sheet, Bill order, and more, you can use the Microsoft Excel program.
Microsoft PowerPoint	Presentation	It is a part of Microsoft Office that is bundled with Microsoft Word and Excel. It is used to create a presentation by creating different types of slides. It is widely used in school and business presentations. For example, if you want to create a presentation of your document to show at your college or any organization, you can use the Microsoft PowerPoint program.
Mozilla Thunderbird	E-mail client	It is an open-source e-mail client that allows users to send, receive, and manage their e-mail on Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS, and other supported systems. It provides users the option to retrieve e-mail from their e-mail provider with the help of IMAP or POP3, and users can send an e-mail by using the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP).
Norton Anti-Virus	Antivirus	It is an anti-virus software product that is developed for computer security by Symantec Corporation in 1991. It uses heuristics and signatures to detect viruses. Furthermore, it is distributed by Symantec as a download, copy, box, and OEM software.
Audacity	Audio software	It is an open-source software program, which enables users to record sound, including editing sound clips. It can run on the macOS, Linux, and Windows operating systems. It is available for free to use as per the General Public License (GPL).
Adobe Acrobat	PDF reader	It is an application software introduced by Adobe, which is used to create, view, manage, print, and manipulate files in PDF (Portable Document Format).
Comm Central	Fax/Voice/Phone	It is a program, which enables users to receive faxes, including receiving voicemails on their personal computers.
Adobe Dreamweaver	HTML editor	It is a software program that is used to design web pages and was released by Macromedia in 1997. It is a full-fledged HTML and programming editor, which offers users a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) user interface to create and edit web pages. It supports HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and XML as well as human languages such as English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, etc.

Apps vs. programs

When Apple introduced the iPhone, they popularized the term “app,” but an app (application) and program are the same things. Today, most people think of an “app” as an application on an Apple computer, smartphone, or tablet. A program is thought of as something that runs on a computer (e.g., a Windows computer).

Programs vs. scripts

When a program is created, it’s compiled into a language that the computer can understand. Once compiled, the program does not need any other programs to run as long as the computer has the required operating system and platform. A script is not compiled and needs an interpreter to translate the script into something the computer understands. Without an interpreter, the script cannot run on the computer. However, once installed, a script can run on any platform without needing to be re-written. See our script term for further information and the pros and cons of scripts.

Commands vs. programs

A command is an instruction that is given to a program or operating system to act. See our command page for further information.

What type of files are program files?

A program file must be an executable file and software programs running Microsoft Windows end with a file extension. EXE, C OM, or.PIF. Executing these files runs the program and allows it to be used on the computer. On an Apple Macintosh computer, a program ends with.APP.

Examples of computer programs

There are millions of different programs available for computers, phones, and other devices today. Below are a few examples and the related program category.

Program	Program Category
Adobe Acrobat	PDF reader
Adobe After Effects	Video editor
Adobe Dreamweaver	HTML editor
Adobe Photoshop	Photo editor
Audacity	Audio software
Comm Central	Fax/Voice/Phone
FileZilla	FTP
Google Chrome	Internet Browser
Hyper Terminal	Terminal program
Microsoft Excel	Spreadsheet
Microsoft PowerPoint	Presentation
Microsoft Word	Word processor
Mozilla Thunderbird	E-mail client
Norton Anti-Virus	Antivirus
C++	Programming language
Skype	Chat and VoIP

• See our software page for information on software that is considered a program and software that is a different category.

What is the purpose of a program?

Without application software (programs), your computer would be able to operate with the operating system (system software), but would not be capable of doing anything else. A program gives the computer and user the ability to perform specific tasks. For example, to browse the Internet, you would install a browser on the computer. A browser is a program that instructs the computer on how to visit, display and navigate a web page. Without a browser program, the computer would not be able to browse the Internet.

What are the basic functions of a program?

The functions of a program vary depending on the type of program. For example, the function of a browser program is to browse the Internet. The function of a word processor is to create, view, and edit documents. A program is usually designed to perform a specific task (function), and only that task. In other words, a word processor program can create a document, but it cannot be used to browse the Internet.

Are game programs?

Yes, games are programs, but may be labeled as “games” and not “programs,” to distinguish them as designed for leisure rather than productivity. As a category of programs, games have subcategories of their own, such as FPS, MMO, and RPG. For example, Quake is an “FPS game.”