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computer program
computer program a series of instructions that a computer can interpret and execute; programs are also called software to distinguish them from hardware, the physical equipment used in data processing . These programming instructions cause the computer to perform arithmetic and logical operations or comparisons (and then take some additional action based on the comparison) or to input or output data in a desired sequence. In conventional computing the operations are executed sequentially; in parallel processing the operations are allocated among multiple processors, which execute them concurrently and share the results. Programs are often written as a series of subroutines, which can be used in more than one program or at more than one point in the same program.
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"computer program." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 28 Nov. 2011 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "computer program." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (November 28, 2011). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-computer-prog.html "computer program." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Retrieved November 28, 2011 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-computer-prog.html |
program
pro·gram / ˈprōˌgram; -grəm/ (Brit. pro·gramme) • n. 1. a planned series of future events, items, or performances: a weekly program of films the program includes Dvorak's New World symphony. ∎ a set of related measures, events, or activities with a particular long-term aim: the nuclear power program. 2. a sheet or booklet giving details of items or performers at an event or performance: a theater program. 3. a presentation or item on radio or television, esp. one broadcast regularly between stated times: a nature program. ∎ dated a radio or television service or station providing a regular succession of programs on a particular frequency; a channel. 4. (program) a series of coded software instructions to control the operation of a computer or other machine. • v. (-grammed, -gram·ming; or -gramed, -gram·ing) [tr.] 1. (program) provide (a computer or other machine) with coded instructions for the automatic performance of a particular task: it is a simple matter to program the computer to recognize such symbols. ∎ input (instructions for the automatic performance of a task) into a computer or other machine: simply program in your desired volume level. ∎ (often be programmed) fig. cause (a person or animal) to behave in a predetermined way: all members of a particular species are programmed to build nests in the same way. 2. arrange according to a plan or schedule: we learn how to program our own lives consciously. ∎ schedule (an item) within a framework: the next stage of the treaty is programmed for 1996. ∎ broadcast (an item): the station does not program enough contemporary works. DERIVATIVES: pro·gram·ma·bil·i·ty / -əˈbilətē/ n. pro·gram·ma·ble / ˈprōˌgraməbəl; prōˈgram-/ adj. |
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"program." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 28 Nov. 2011 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "program." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (November 28, 2011). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-program.html "program." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved November 28, 2011 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-program.html |
program
program A set of statements that (after translation from programming-language form into executable form – see compiler) can be executed by a computer in order to produce a desired behavior from the computer. A procedural program gives a precise definition of the procedure to be followed by the computer system in order to obtain the required results. By contrast, a nonprocedural program specifies constraints that must be satisfied by the results that are produced but does not specify the procedure by which these results should be obtained; such a procedure must be determined by a problem-solving shell based on the defined constraints.
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JOHN DAINTITH. "program." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 28 Nov. 2011 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN DAINTITH. "program." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (November 28, 2011). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O11-program.html JOHN DAINTITH. "program." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Retrieved November 28, 2011 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O11-program.html |
program
program (software) Set of instructions that enables a computer to carry out a task. A typical computer carries out many tasks including word processing, calculating, drawing, communicating, and providing games. Programs are written in a variety of computer languages, and are usually stored on a magnetic disk. To make a computer perform a particular task, a program is loaded into the computer's ram.
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"program." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 28 Nov. 2011 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "program." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (November 28, 2011). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-program.html "program." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved November 28, 2011 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-program.html |
computer program
computer program See program
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Cite this article
"computer program." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 28 Nov. 2011 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "computer program." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (November 28, 2011). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-computerprogram.html "computer program." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved November 28, 2011 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-computerprogram.html |
program
program •am, Amsterdam, Assam, Bram, cam, cham, cheongsam, clam, cram, dam, damn, drachm, dram, exam, femme, flam, gam, glam, gram, ham, jam, jamb, lam, lamb, mam, mesdames, Omar Khayyám, Pam, pram, pro-am, ram, Sam, scam, scram, sham, Siam, slam, Spam, swam, tam, tram, Vietnam, wham, yam
•in memoriam • ad nauseam
•iamb, Priam
•grandam • Edam • goddam
•quondam • Potsdam • cofferdam
•Rotterdam • Oxfam • Birmingham
•Abraham • logjam • CAD-CAM
•minicam • Nicam
•Eelam, Elam
•flimflam • oriflamme • Suriname
•ad personam • diazepam • tangram
•ashram • telegram • milligram
•epigram • centigram • dithyramb
•program, programme
•cardiogram • radiogram • echogram
•mammogram
•aerogramme (US aerogram)
•microgram • dirham
•electrocardiogram • ideogram
•heliogram • diaphragm • diagram
•parallelogram • kilogram • hologram
•encephalogram • anagram
•monogram • sonogram • kissogram
•pentagram • cryptogram • photogram
•tam-tam • wigwam • whim-wham
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"program." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 28 Nov. 2011 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "program." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (November 28, 2011). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-program.html "program." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved November 28, 2011 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-program.html |