Currently there may be errors shown on top of a page, because of a missing Wiki update (PHP version and extension DPL3). |
Navigation
Topics | Help • Register • News • History • How to • Sequences statistics • Template prototypes |
Software
Software is short for computer software, a type of computer program. It means the applications and operating systems used with computers.
The term software was first used in the late 1960s to show the difference from computer hardware, which are the fixed parts of a machine. Before compact discs (CDs) or Internet downloads, software came on "soft media" like magnetic floppy disks and magnetic tape.
Firmware refers to programs (such as embedded drivers) or settings (like BIOS) that are stored in the hardware of the computer, but can be changed without having to physically change out the hardware.