The differences between application, program and software.

Software- the programs and other operating information used by a computer. Software can be made up of more than one program. All-encompassing term that is often used in contrast to hardware (the tangible parts of a computer)

Application- A program or group of programs that is designed for the end user. Application software (an application) is a set of computer programs designed to permit the user to perform a group of coordinated functions, tasks, or activities. Application software cannot run on itself but is dependent on system software to execute.

Program- A set of instructions telling a computer what to do.

in Summary: the differences between software and application.
1. Software is an all-encompassing term for computer data while an application is a type of software that does a certain task

2. Applications are executable while software may or may not be executable

3. Applications are often operating system specific while software are not necessarily so

4. Applications usually need user interaction to function while software does not necessarily have to


"All applications are programs, but a program is not necessarily an application. For example, there are always lots of programs running on the background of an operating system, but since they weren't developed for the end-user, they are not applications. On the other hand, Windows Media Player and Firefox, for example, are applications. They have a Graphical User Interface.

prepared by IBRAHIM MCHUCHURI