What is the difference between software, program, app, and system?

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15

Obvious question that escaped long of being asked here at Sopt.

  • Software
  • Program
  • Application / application
  • App
  • Information system

What’s the difference?

I believe I know the answer, but let’s see if there is agreement between the definitions and maybe some insight.

3 answers

10


First, a few definitions:

  • Software
    A set of instructions or data that operate the hardware.

  • Program
    A set of instructions that define tasks to be performed by the computer.

  • Application / Application
    Software designed to perform a variety of functions, focusing on tasks.

  • App
    Software developed for a single purpose or function, or focusing on the main technological aspects of specific devices.

  • Information system
    Set of components of software inter-related information that collects, processes, stores and provides output of information for commercial purposes.

As you can see, there is a lot of overlap between concepts.

Software and program are interchangeable in most situations; and all app is a programme, which is therefore a software.

A information system may be composed of several modules, including one or more apps and apps. And all these modules are software.

  • You defined both the source code and the compiled code, correct? And this definition of App Was it used before the iPhone? I wasn’t a smartphone user at the time so I can’t say, I just know that I don’t remember that term used for non-smart phones.

1

The definitions are infinite and can vary from the most generic possible, where the terms can probably be considered synonymous, the most methodical definitions resorting to the origins of the spelling of words and the context of emergence, where probably some of the terms may discriminate.

In a quick analysis on my part, without resorting to great research and focusing on the context of use, I believe that what is most distinguished from the others is the term "App", which naturally refers us to mobile apps. Just a googlada will see that the biggest references are in this mobile context.

Follow the first definition I found: App is a nickname given to the term "app" (which comes from the English application). You will also hear other ways to call the App such as: mobile app, mobile app, mobile app. But after all, what is an App? - App Factory Blog https://blog.fabricadeaplicativos.com.br manufactures but-after-what-and-an-app

-1

Software = Program = App = App. In practice, all the same thing.

Nowadays when we talk "app" most people relates the mobile app. But, nothing else is than App = Application = App.

The Information System, on the other hand, can be considered something more comprehensive since it has nothing to do directly with information, but rather in a set of data that saw information. That is, a phone book on paper can be an information system.

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