We explain what a computer program is, the types of software that we can use and some examples of these programs.
What is a computer program?
A computer program or computer program it’s a piece of software, that is, a complex sequence of instructions and processes orchestrated to fulfill a specific task in a computer or computer system. These programs can be pre-installed programs on the computer, such as the Operating System that controls its entire operation, or they can be added additionally by the user.
In general, computer programs have a certain margin of computer system resources while they are being executed, and they fulfill all kinds of roles in it, from control the resources and internal operations of the computer, to mediate with the user and allow him to work, recreate, explore the Internet, etc.
These programs are the work of programmers, computer professionals who compose the matrix code (source code) of each piece of software and who are in some way its “authors”.
This code consists of instructions (declarative or imperative) that are then converted into executable files by the user or by the system and that are executed in the Central Processing Unit (CPU).
For its creation, programmers use, in turn, computer programs that are used to write these codes, that is, software that is used to make software and is known as programming language.
On the other hand, many computer programs are capable of being updated and modified by downloading data from the Internet, keeping up to date or redefining its components, as with Antivirus Programs or Operating Systems respectively.
Computer programs are part of the intellectual property of their creators, although in many cases they are released free of charge or under licenses of copyleft, much more permissive and that do not require a payment for the use of the program.
Types of computer programs
The main classification of computer programs attends to their nature, dividing them into two classes:
- System software. Those basic programs that allow the use of the computer, linking the user with the different hardware and / or network aspects of the system, as well as with the applications installed on it. This type of program supports the applications and in many cases they are already installed and even embedded in the computer. For example: hardware drivers, Operating Systems, command lines, etc.
- App software. All the diversity of secondary programs that we can download or install on our computer and that allow us to carry out numerous functions: word processors, spreadsheets, Web browsers, video games, telecommunications software, multimedia players, etc.
Examples of computer program
Some examples of computer programs of various kinds are:
- Windows. The most popular operating system commercially speaking, owned by the Microsoft company, chaired by Bill Gates. It is a computer management system that operates based on windows that allow you to view its content separately from the others, simultaneously.
- Google Chrome. It is a browser for the Internet, published by the Google company and distributed for free on the Internet. It has been listed as one of the lightest and fastest in its area.
- OpenOffice. It is a package of free and open distribution office applications that competes with the more popular paid versions. It has a word processor (Writer), a spreadsheet (Calc), a presentation and slide program (Impress), a database (Base), a mathematical formula editor (Math) and a graphics editor (Draw ).
- Call of Duty. Title of a series of first-person shooter video games belonging to the company Infinity Ward and distributed by Activision. It is one of the most popular video games of its kind and has often been controversial for its violence and underlying political content.
- MediaMonkey. A multimedia player software (audio and video) developed by Ventis Media Inc., which allows you to organize, tag and play multimedia files on any Windows platform.
- Adobe Illustrator. Vector graphics editing program that mimics an art workshop, since it operates on the basis of a drawing board called a “work table” and in which artistic design and illustration can be given free rein. It was created by Adobe Systems and is part of the Adobe Creative Cloud package.