Probably, everyone knows about what a program is nowadays. After all, PCs and laptops are available in almost every home. Nevertheless, we give an exact definition. A program is a set of instructions for computer execution. The synonyms of this word are “application”, “software”. The collection of all programs installed on an electronic device is called software.
Operating system structure
So, what is a program, we found out. The operating system, which has a convenient structure for use, controls the work of all applications. Any computer is primarily a device designed to store and process all kinds of files necessary for the user. For the convenience of information retrieval, special directories are created, also called directories or folders. So:
- A file is an area in the computer’s memory where any information is stored. It can be texts, music, videos and, of course, programs. Each file has its own two-part name. This makes it easier for the user to find information. The first is the name itself, the second is the extension indicating the type of file. In order to indicate the purpose of the file, one to three characters can be used.
- A folder is a special place on the disk in which files are collected, information about their size, time of the last update, etc. The directory may contain other directories with files. Thus, it turns out a kind of "tree" that makes working with information the most convenient.
Types of applications used on computers
A variety of applications can be installed on modern electronic devices. The following types of programs are mainly used:
- General software. This category primarily includes the OS itself. They represent entire sets of programs that provide comprehensive computer control. Also, programming systems can be attributed to general software - tools designed for editing / debugging and various service functions. In addition, this category includes applications designed to optimize computer performance - the so-called maintenance programs.
- Application software. This category includes primarily DBMSs - applications designed to work with databases. The second kind of software related to this type is artificial intelligence systems.
- The functions of a program of this kind are, first of all, a computer imitation of a person’s thinking. It is these applications that provide the ability to "communicate" between a computer and a person in a natural language for the latter.
- Means of use. Programs of this type are most familiar to ordinary computer users. This category includes text and image editors, e-mail, various kinds of corporate information systems, etc.
How are programs created?
It will be useful for all owners of electronic devices to find out not only what a program is, but also how it is created. The process of developing applications is called programming, and the people who create them are programmers. Due to the popularity of electronic devices in which a wide variety of software can be used, this profession is now in great demand. When creating programs, a variety of programming languages are used. In most of them, the source code consists of special instructions that describe a specific algorithm.
Most popular operating system
Most modern computers use Windows. It was created by Microsoft specialists and is primarily focused on the use of a graphical interface that is most understandable to an ordinary user. According to the Netmarketshare resource for 2013, this OS is installed on 90% of modern computers.
At different times, two families of this convenient system were used. The first was Windows 9x, currently using Windows NT. Today, the penultimate version of this family is most popular - Windows 7. In the event that a user purchases a computer or laptop with an already installed OS, he will have to work with it later on.
Most Popular Programs for Windows 7
Programs developed for Windows, there are just a huge number. And to say which of them are most popular with users is unusually difficult. One of the most modern and frequently used applications at the moment is, of course, Skype. This program was created not too long ago - in 2003 and almost immediately won the hearts of users. Today it is available on almost every computer.
Another application most commonly used at the moment is ISQ. In our country, it is it that is most often used for communication via the Internet. This is apparently due to the fact that working with Skype requires a fairly high connection speed. Most Russian users use mobile communications, which are rather slow in this respect.
Skype and ISQ are the most popular programs for the 7th version of Windows, designed for communication. In addition to them, the most commonly used Flash Player is an application designed to scroll through movies and listen to music. Without this program, it is also impossible to view all kinds of banners with which the Internet is now simply flooded.
Pirated programs
The popularity of software in the modern world could not but cause a wave of creation of fakes and illegal copies. Since the "pirates" have developed many methods for the decentralized distribution of such a product, the search and punishment of participants in this illegal business is extremely difficult. Indeed, in fact, the responsibility for downloading and using pirated copies rests with a huge army of the most ordinary users.
So, what is a program and, most importantly, why is it needed, you now understand. Applications that make working on a computer convenient and enjoyable have been developed by a huge variety. Of course, only a licensed product of this type can ensure smooth operation.