IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS

(Learn These)


Software:


Computer programs or sets of instruction sequences, as opposed to the computers or processing devices on which the programs run (the "hardware").

--OR--
The programs or instructions that execute on computer hardware in order to perform a given task.

--OR--
A term for the instructions that enable your computer to do useful (to you) work. The two primary categories of software are operating systems and applications.

Operating System (OS) - The software responsible for controlling the usage of your computer's hardware (things like its CPU, memory and hard disk) and providing a foundation on which your applications can run. Popular operating systems include MS - DOS, the Macintosh OS, Windows, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows 95,98and UNIX.

Application - A term for software that helps people perform a certain type of work or activity - like maybe Excel or Word or your favorite game. Compare this to an operating system, which is a kind of software that runs a computer, or a utility, which performs small tasks or chores designed to help maintain a computer - like copying (or backing up) data files to disk or tape.

Remember that there is a little tiny computer in your laserdisc player (the hardware) that interprets (processes) the DATA on the laserdisc or DVD.  It decodes the video data and sends it's signal to the screen, also figures out the Dolby(tm) stuff and sends it to the correct speakers. The stuff on the disc is *NOT* software. It is merely DATA.

Data:


(Or "raw data", "information", "wisdom") Numbers, characters, images or sounds (like on a laserdisc or DVD) or other method of recording, in a form which can be assessed by a human or (especially) input into a computer or other processing device, stored and processed there, or transmitted on some digital channel (like to the TV and Audio System).

An item of information. Data is actually the plural form of the Latin word datum, but the word "data," is used as both the singular and plural form of the noun when referring to information you create and process using your computer. Data can be anything from a word  processing document or an electronic (digitized) version of your family's photo album or even a movie.

Data on its own has no meaning, only when interpreted by some kind of data processing system (computer) does it take on meaning and become information. For example, the number 123454657.99 is data but if it is output as your bank balance then that is information. The binary number 1011100011 is of little value, but if it is a cloud color in a movie scene, well, you know....