Computer program - Revision history

DavidB4-bot: /* See also */clean up

2016-06-23T20:32:39Z

RolandPlankton: use 'bootup' rather than 'bootstrap', latter applies to compiler written in the language it compiles

2012-03-21T22:57:30Z

use 'bootup' rather than 'bootstrap', latter applies to compiler written in the language it compiles

DrCrypto: /* See Also */ fomatting

2008-06-20T03:48:02Z

Aschlafly at 17:47, June 3, 2007

2007-06-03T17:47:01Z

Human: creation

2007-05-11T18:17:22Z

creation

New page

A '''computer program''' is a set of instructions for a [[machine]] to follow, usually to perform a task for humans.

The earliest [[computer]]s were literally mechanical, and the instructions caused their gears and wheels to take various courses.

With the invention of electronic computers, computational speed increased and the complexity of the tasks assigned them could be higher.

Where once a program consisted of a stack of punchcards or a roll of punched tape, modern programs are written, stored and run from various [[digital]] media, chief among them CD-ROMs and magnetic disks. Programs are now usually called "software," as distinct from the machines that run them, the "hardware".

Computer programs are broadly broken down by the functional level they work at:

*[[Bootstrap]]ping programs, which operate on power up, and ready the machine for further instructions.
*[[Operating system]]s, which create a platform on which applications can be run, and manage the interface with data reading devices and peripherals such as printers, video monitors, etc.
*Applications, which are programs that accomplish specific tasks, such as [[spreadsheet]]s, [[word processor]]s, [[CAD]] programs, web browsers, etc.

==See Also==

[[Algorithm]]

[[category:technology]]

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 Computer programs are broadly broken down by the functional level they work at:
-*[[Bootstrap]]ping programs, which operate on power up, and ready the machine for further instructions.
+*Bootup programs, which operate when a computer is switched on, and ready the machine for further instructions.
 *[[Operating system]]s, which create a platform on which applications can be run, and manage the interface with data reading devices and peripherals such as printers, video monitors, etc.
 *Applications, which are programs that accomplish specific tasks, such as [[spreadsheet]]s, [[word processor]]s, [[CAD]] programs, web browsers, etc.