Computer software or simply software is any set of machine-readable instructions that directs a computer's processor to perform specific operations. Computer software contrasts with computer hardware, which is the physical component of computers. Computer hardware and software require each other and neither can be realistically used without the other. Using a musical analogy, hardware is like a musical instrument and software is like the notes played on that instrument. At the lowest level, executable code consists of machine language instructions specific to an individual processor – typically a central processing unit (CPU). History[edit] An outline (algorithm) for what would have been the first piece of software was written by Ada Lovelace in the 19th century, for the planned analytical engine. This eventually led to the creation of the twin academic fields of computer science and software engineering, which both study software and its creation. Types of software[edit] Execution[edit]
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