(1) To write the lines of code in a program.
(2) A collection of instructions that tell the computer what to do. A program is generically known as "software" and the programs users work with, such as word processors and spreadsheets, are called "applications" or "application programs." Thus, the terms software, application, program and instruction are synonymous in the sense that they all tell the computer what to do.
A program is written in a programming language, such as C or C++, and the statements and commands written by the programmer are converted into the computer's machine language by software called "assemblers," "compilers" and "interpreters." The program contains machine instructions, buffers, constants and counters.
Instructions, Buffers, Constants and Counters
Machine instructions are the directions that the computer actually follows, and they embody the program's logic. Buffers are reserved space, or input/output areas, in the program that accept and hold the data while they are being processed.
Constants are fixed values used to compare the data against, such as minimums and maximums and dates. Menu titles and error messages are another type of constant. Counters, also called "variables," are reserved space for summing money amounts, quantities, virtually any calculations, including those necessary to keep track of internal operations, such as how many times a function should be repeated.
Input-Process-Output
The program calls for data in an input-process-output sequence. After data has been input into one of the program's buffers from a peripheral device (keyboard, disk, etc.), it is processed. The results are then output to a peripheral device (screen, printer, etc.). If data has been updated, it is output back onto the disk.
The Application Talks to the OS
The application program, which does the actual data processing, does not instruct the computer to do everything. When it is ready for input or needs to output data, it sends a request to the operating system (OS), which performs those services and then turns control back to the application program.
The Illustration Below
Following is a conceptual illustration of a program residing in memory. In the physical reality of memory, everything would be binary (0s and 1s).
Although represented as tiny, black blocks below, machine instructions can be variable in length, and they reside in the program in some logical order. Noted as arrows below, some of the instructions would point back to the beginning of a routine or to other parts of the program.
For an understanding of what the computer does to process data, look up computer and read about The 3 C's (calculate, compare and copy).
Anatomy of a Program
A program is made up of machine instructions, buffers, constants and counters. The program's logic is embedded within the instructional sequence.
(2) A collection of instructions that tell the computer what to do. A program is generically known as "software" and the programs users work with, such as word processors and spreadsheets, are called "applications" or "application programs." Thus, the terms software, application, program and instruction are synonymous in the sense that they all tell the computer what to do.
A program is written in a programming language, such as C or C++, and the statements and commands written by the programmer are converted into the computer's machine language by software called "assemblers," "compilers" and "interpreters." The program contains machine instructions, buffers, constants and counters.
Instructions, Buffers, Constants and Counters
Machine instructions are the directions that the computer actually follows, and they embody the program's logic. Buffers are reserved space, or input/output areas, in the program that accept and hold the data while they are being processed.
Constants are fixed values used to compare the data against, such as minimums and maximums and dates. Menu titles and error messages are another type of constant. Counters, also called "variables," are reserved space for summing money amounts, quantities, virtually any calculations, including those necessary to keep track of internal operations, such as how many times a function should be repeated.
Input-Process-Output
The program calls for data in an input-process-output sequence. After data has been input into one of the program's buffers from a peripheral device (keyboard, disk, etc.), it is processed. The results are then output to a peripheral device (screen, printer, etc.). If data has been updated, it is output back onto the disk.
The Application Talks to the OS
The application program, which does the actual data processing, does not instruct the computer to do everything. When it is ready for input or needs to output data, it sends a request to the operating system (OS), which performs those services and then turns control back to the application program.
The Illustration Below
Following is a conceptual illustration of a program residing in memory. In the physical reality of memory, everything would be binary (0s and 1s).
Although represented as tiny, black blocks below, machine instructions can be variable in length, and they reside in the program in some logical order. Noted as arrows below, some of the instructions would point back to the beginning of a routine or to other parts of the program.
For an understanding of what the computer does to process data, look up computer and read about The 3 C's (calculate, compare and copy).
Anatomy of a Program
A program is made up of machine instructions, buffers, constants and counters. The program's logic is embedded within the instructional sequence.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- Lotto Pro 2009 7.53 (Windows)
- Works with all lottery games; Pick-3, Pick-4, Pick 5, Pick-6 and Pick-7 and Keno. Up-to-date drawing files for all United States and Canadian lotteries. Drawing files are also included for Australia, Brazil, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey...
- Software downloads 2009-11-06
- 10 ways to evaluate your IT management software
- Does your helpdesk work for you or do you work for your helpdesk? Saar Bitner of SysAid Technologies tells how to manage you IT management software. Commentary - Choosing the right IT management software solution is a strategic decision that requires the careful planning and consideration of every IT...
- News items 2009-11-05
- Radialix 2.09.03 (Windows)
- Radialix 2 is an easy, technically elegant tool for binary localization of applications and resource files. It allows the user to localize executable files (PE32, PE32+), .NET assemblies, resources and INI files. The program offers a convenient WYSIWYG editor and a powerful arsenal of productivity tools, such as translation simulation,...
- Software downloads 2009-11-05
- Stop Software Installation Tool 3.1.1.22 (Windows)
- I do not approve of some of the programs or games that my child installs on my computer. Also I can not even control him to prevent software installation. What can I do?. How many times we heard this question from parents. Without good preventative measures, children can bring a...
- Software downloads 2009-11-05
- Domus.Cad 15.0.2 (Mac)
- Domus.Cad is an architectural 3D CAD program. It is a tool for the design and modeling of architecture, interor, landscape, and urban spaces. With Domus.Cad you can immediately begin to create three-dimensional elements without needing to start from a two-dimensional plan. Elements such as walls, floors, roofs, and stairs are...
- Software downloads 2009-11-05
- KRyLack Password Recovery 3.0.09 (Windows)
- KRyLack Password Recovery is a program to recover lost or forgotten passwords on ZIP, RAR and ACE archives. Features: The program has a convenient user interface; Drag-and-Drop is supported; The program can work with archives containing only one encrypted file; RAR Archives (All versions including v3.x) are supported; RAR Archives...
- Software downloads 2009-11-04
- Activity Monitor 4.41 build 2253 (Windows)
- This program is for real time monitoring of users activities on network computers and for employees' work time tracking. It monitors usage of all office computers connected to a network. Managers see typed keystrokes in real time, take snapshots of the remote screen, view what programs are, stop inappropriate programs,...
- Software downloads 2009-11-04
- IceTV Remote Widget 2.7 (Mac)
- IceTV's main feature, displaying a beautiful TV guide on your desktop, comes in three flavours. The first view, "3 program view" shows the current program, the next program, and the program after that for any number of channels (screen size permitting!). The second view, "5 program view" shows the current...
- Software downloads 2009-11-03
- Jacknife 1.2.5 (Mac)
- Jacknife is versatile enterprise software for businesses and organizations. It includes several specific types of programs and you may choose which to use simply by selecting a program type in settings. Jacknife Studio is ideal for studios of all kinds, including dance, gymnastics, and karate studios. It...
- Software downloads 2009-11-03
- Images Generator 9.0.7 (Windows)
- Images Generator is image-editing application in which the small sizes and convenience of using are combined with ample opportunities. The program has a full tooling of two-dimensional graphics and provides some ways of creation of volumetric images. It has about 200 graphic filters and transformers. Adjustment of colors of the...
- Software downloads 2009-11-02
- Netviewer Meet Free 6.0 build 1434 (Windows)
- With Netviewer Meet you will need only a few seconds to establish a secure connection with up to 3 remote computers. The conferencing program is started directly from the Internet. You can connect with other people's computers in just a few seconds: As the initiator of a Netviewer session, the...
- Software downloads 2009-11-01
- SoftControl Antivirus 1.0.0.1 (Windows)
- SoftControl AntiVirus and System Analyzer. A Program to scan and eliminate Malwares/Viruses/Rootkits upon found. Very fast file scan by utilizing Clamav GPL scan engine. Realtime scan to detect new threats. Includes a registry scanning and analyzing utility. Consumes very low cpu usage. Help for usages can be found during program...
- Software downloads 2009-10-30
- Facebook users targeted by Zeus banking Trojan
- Is it safe to assumethat this threat can happen on any OS/Browser desktop or mobile?Yes but...various Stallman cultist and Job cultist will try to argue that either Linux or MacOSX are immune to this because of a so called superior BSD security model or something along this line.Windows only?The Trojan...
- Discussion threads 2009-10-29
- Software that automatically fixes itself, without shutting down
- Invariant DetectionThis is supposing that the software is simple enough to determine invariants and not block valid code paths that are infrequently used. It sounds a lot like applying design by contract after the fact.Software That Fixes Itself?The headline implies an application that fixes itself. The article describes and...
- Discussion threads 2009-10-29
- Midi Converter 1.0.2 (Mac)
- Midi Converter for Mac is a small and simple utility designed mostly for musicians who compose music using their Macintosh computer. However, this program can be very useful for anyone who wants to convert midi music files to the far more popular and versatile MP3 format. If, for whatever reason,...
- Software downloads 2009-10-29
- StaffLogger 3.3 (Windows)
- StaffLogger is a PC time-keeping tool. The program logs the exact time when the user worked with the applications and you will see on what kind of work your time has been spent. The internal program database stores the information on each day so you're able to watch the every...
- Software downloads 2009-10-29
- Password Manager XP Professional 2.3.483 (Windows)
- Password Manager XP is a program specially created to help people systematize and store securely valuable information. It rids computer users of headaches caused by lost passwords, forgotten access codes and other sensitive information. With this program, you safely store all your logins, passwords, PIN codes, credit card numbers, access...
- Software downloads 2009-10-28
- OmniGraphSketcher 1.1 beta 1 (Mac)
- OmniGraphSketcher helps you make elegant and precise graphs in seconds, simply by sketching what you want. Specifically designed for reports, presentations, and problem sets where you need to produce sharp-looking graphs on the fly, OmniGraphSketcher combines the data plotting power of charting applications with the ease of a basic drawing...
- Software downloads 2009-10-28
- Edraw Max 5.0 (Windows)
- Edraw Max enables students, teachers and business professionals to reliably create and publish kinds of diagrams to represent any ideas. Edraw provides you a versatile, easy, quick and professional solution to let you enjoy your working. In a corporate environment, the folks over in human resources need to be able...
- Software downloads 2009-10-28
- AidScans 4.2 (Windows)
- Volume estimation application. The program takes set of object slices provided by a scanner. The software was used for medical imaging purposes, especially for brain tumors obtained from MRI and CT scanners volume calculations. The program is useable for breast, chest, liver and another organs tumor calculations as well as...
- Software downloads 2009-10-28
Neighboring Terms
Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
SmartPlanet
- Thought-provoking progressive ideas on diverse topics that intersect with technology, business, and life, and matter to the world at large. Visit SmartPlanet
- More from IBM
-
- How to Drive Better Business Outcomes with Exceptional Web Experiences Download the eBook
- Driving Business Agility through SOA Connectivity & Integration Read the White Paper from IBM
- Linking Decisions and Information for Organizational Performance Read the Tom Davenport study
