A computer program is a resource or application that allows you to perform different tasks on a computer, phone or other technological device.
Program is a concept with numerous meanings. It may be a plan, an agenda, a schedule, a thematic unit or a radio or television broadcast, to name a few possibilities.
When we talk specifically about a program in computing , we are referring to software . These are applications and resources that allow you to carry out different tasks on a computer , a telephone or other technological equipment.
Development of a computer program
To develop a computer program, it is necessary to use programming languages that enable the control of machines. Through various semantic and syntactic rules, these languages specify the data that the software transmits and that the computer will have to operate.
In addition to the aforementioned language, it is also essential within any computer program or computer program, both the source file and the link editor, the executable file, the compiler or the object file.
There are different kinds of computer programs.
Classification according to type
There are different types of computer programs. Core software , for example, is software that gives the person control over the physical elements of the computer, which are known as hardware . Within the base software, operating systems can be named, such as Windows or Linux .
Office programs are also very important. Among these tools are word processors such as Microsoft Word and Apache OpenOffice Writer ; spreadsheets such as Calc , Lotus 1-2-3 and Microsoft Excel ; and programs that allow you to manage email such as Lotus Notes , Microsoft Outlook and Eudora .
The most popular computer programs
However, currently we resort to using another series of programs that have become fundamental pieces of both our leisure activity and the professional tasks that we have to carry out. Specifically, among the most recommended, in addition to the members of the so-called Office packages, are these:
-VLC Media Player, a multimedia content player capable of supporting files of a wide variety of extensions.
-Winrar, which becomes the perfect tool to compress photographs, videos or text documents and thus send them without problem via email.
-Internet Explorer is the best-known browser for consulting the Internet. However, its most direct rival and possibly the one that makes it "fall" is Google Chrome.
-Acrobat Reader, the software used to read PDF files.
-Picasa, a very useful computer program when it comes to organizing the photographs you have on your computer, as well as making videos and presentations with them, without forgetting that it also makes it easy to send them via email.
-Avast! Free Antivirus. As its name indicates, it is a program that aims to protect your computer from viruses and other malware that exists circulating on the Internet.
The piracy problem
It is important to highlight that the notion of program in computing refers to both programs that require a payment to acquire their license and thus be able to use them, as well as free distribution programs.
Despite the licenses that protect computer programs, these rights are often violated and the programs are marketed illegally through piracy .