Talk:Computer software
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[edit] New Section: Software and Hardware
Software's relationship with hardware is two-fold. Firstly, software is stored in memory (either RAM or disk or otherwise; it does not matter). Secondly, software runs on hardware, which is a colloquial term meaning that the hardware interprets the program, as it resides in memory, by reading instructions, which it then executes. The important point is that software, like other kinds of programs, is made up of a series of instructions. Computer software is developed and written by programmers, often aided by pre-existing software tools, for a particular digital computer or operating environment.
The bulk of the instructions in a software program can be grouped into general types: loading data from and storing it to memory, mathematical operations (most of which reduce down to addition and subtraction), bit manipulation (working directly on the binary representations of numbers: changing or re-ordering the actual bits which make them up), logical operations and control flow. [This should be made into a list.]
On modern computer systems, software programs have to satisfy various compatibility requirements, including using the correct instruction set architecture (ISA) and application binary interface (ABI). The former ensure that the CPU can understand the program, and the latter that the operating environment can properly load the program into memory.
Until a program is run on a computer, there is no relevant distinction between it and generic binary data. Technically, all data in memory is noise except in the case where it is comprehensible by some process. For more on this, see information theory. Thus, the most important aspect of any true program is that it can be read and understood by a computer (specifically, the CPU) as a sequence of instructions to be executed. In this way, a software program can be specifically defined as a special case of a program or algorithm, in this case, one which can specifically be understood by a real computer in practice. This is only possible because the CPU inside a computer is specifically designed as a general purpose data processor, with a published ISA and the ability to communicate with memory.
[edit] New Section: Creating Software
The work of creating software is called software development. Whether this is in fact the same as software engineering [the same article appears for both terms] is regularly debated.
All computer software is written using a programming language of some sort, and is then either compiled to native code (in other words, to a form recognizable by a particular computer platform) or is interpreted by a virtual machine or interpreter. The interpreter itself is usually a native program. There are many kinds of software programs in existence, but those which do not run natively on a digital computer may be considered to be a different class than those which do. The distinction is, admittedly, blurred, because it is possible (and nowadays quite common) to virtualize existing hardware to allow software intended for one computer, either real or virtual, to be run on another computer. In fact, many virtual computers have no actual hardware counterpart.
It can be argued that software written for interpreters is, in fact, not software proper, any more than a program written in any high level language is software. Both require translation to native form, either in advance, or inline with execution, before they can be used. In addition, it is a fact, as opposed to an opinion, that at any moment in time, a given program can either be processed natively by an existing computer system, or not, and thus the distinction is objective, whether
[edit] Origin of word
Our article on Intelligent Machines Research Corporation says that the word was coined by William Lawless, Jr. of IBM, not by Tukey. Which is right? --Heron 20:46, 11 July 2006 (UTC)
- Neither appear to have sources confirming either coinage. The OED, 1989, only has its first quotation from 1960. If there is a good source for the earlier usage, then that one could be confirmed. —Centrx→talk • 21:04, 11 July 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Identity of Purpose
The software governs the behavior the machine. The meaning and state of each bit in program memory is the link between the software and the hardware worlds. The medium on which the software resides can be any number of conceivable things: punch card; scantron; photograph; dipole matrix; brain; heterogeneous polymer. Just name it. If only I could explain the essence of code. The machine lives by the code and dies by the code. The program is the machine's way to providence.
-- LGWJ 17:34, 15 September 2006 (UTC) circa
[edit] Moved from article to here for discussion
This needs to be translated to comprehensible English before being returned to the article.
- Software fundamentally is the unique image or representation of physical or material alignment that constitutes configuration to or functional identity of a machine, usually a computer. As a content of memory, software in principle can be changed without the adjustment to the static paradigm of the hardware thus without the remanufacturing thereof. Commonly software is of an algorithmic form which translates into being to a sequence of machine instructions. Some software, however, is of a relational form which translates into being the map of a realization network (see VHDL).
It's pretty extraneous and redundant with the second paragraph (which is not serving as the article's lead). The Transhumanist 06:22, 16 November 2006 (UTC)
[edit] English
The English have had somewhat of a history of being intrinsic and in essence transhuman like cultures long gone or with great longevity. In an ideal world "comprehensible" and "abstract formal" would be one in the same. If comprehensible explanation is more marketable then it should perhaps be the best choice. I will try to bridge the gap between purity and comprehensibility later. On this, we can choose to work together or to work estranged, but not in contradiction.
ATTEST,
-- Lindberg [18:49, 1 December 2006; 13:49, 1 December 2006; 06:00, 2 December 2006 (UTC)]
[edit] Executive Measures
The choice of action regarding the removal of the "incomprehensible lead paragraph" was a rather preemptive, but the idea of a wiki is that readers have the option of being editors too. No one who makes a sensible contribution should have to ask for permission first, which is a respectable option if one so desires.
I am not sure if a problem was solved by the removal of this "incomprehensible lead paragraph." If one is not apt and not bold enough to perform correction, then one should consult prior to complete removal. I should assume that The Transhumanist, as a most active contributor to Wikipedia, did consult someone (an experienced professional and theorist perhaps).
-- Lindberg 06:47, 2 December 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Software monitor
what is a software monitor? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 206.48.0.60 (talk • contribs).
