COMPUTER SOFTWARE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does computer software mean? 

• COMPUTER SOFTWARE (noun)
  The noun COMPUTER SOFTWARE has 1 sense:

1. (computer science) written programs or procedures or rules and associated documentation pertaining to the operation of a computer system and that are stored in read/write memory

  Familiarity information: COMPUTER SOFTWARE used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• COMPUTER SOFTWARE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(computer science) written programs or procedures or rules and associated documentation pertaining to the operation of a computer system and that are stored in read/write memory

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

computer software; package; software; software package; software program; software system

Context example:

the market for software is expected to expand

Hypernyms ("computer software" is a kind of...):

code; computer code ((computer science) the symbolic arrangement of data or instructions in a computer program or the set of such instructions)

Domain category:

computer science; computing (the branch of engineering science that studies (with the aid of computers) computable processes and structures)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "computer software"):

computer program; computer programme; program; programme ((computer science) a sequence of instructions that a computer can interpret and execute)

upgrade (software that provides better performance than an earlier version did)

database management system; DBMS (a software system that facilitates the creation and maintenance and use of an electronic database)

documentation; software documentation (program listings or technical manuals describing the operation and use of programs)

supervisory software (specialized programs that reside permanently in the computer's main memory and control the processing of user's programs)

malware (malicious software, designed to break into a system)

spyware (computer software that obtains information from a user's computer without the user's knowledge or consent)

shrink-wrapped software (software on CD-ROMs that are boxed and shrink-wrapped and sold in stores (implying a widely supported standard platform))

shareware (software that is available free of charge; may be distributed for evaluation with a fee requested for additional features or a manual etc.)

function; procedure; routine; subprogram; subroutine (a set sequence of steps, part of larger computer program)

add-on; plug-in (a software module that extends or enhances the capabilities of an existing application)

operating system; OS ((computer science) software that controls the execution of computer programs and may provide various services)

groupware (software that can be used by a group of people who are working on the same information but may be distributed in space)

freeware (software that is provided without charge)

CAD; computer-aided design (software used in art and architecture and engineering and manufacturing to assist in precision drawing)

compatible software (application software programs that share common conventions so they can be utilized together)

compatible software (software that can run on different computers without modification)

beta software (software that has not yet been released but has received an alpha test and still has more bugs than a regular release)

authoring language (software that can be used to develop interactive computer programs without the technically demanding task of computer programming)

alpha software (a first release of a software product that is usually tested only by the developers)

 Context examples 

Issue associated with any deviations from specifications relating to device operations (e.g. deployment, connection, electrical, computer software, infusion/flow, output, protective-measure, and incompatibility issues).

(Medical Device Operational Issue, NCI Thesaurus/CDISC)

Uranus, which rules computer software, could create chaos if not checked.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

An imaging technique of the colon involving helical computed tomography and computer software to generate high-resolution 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional images of the inner surface of the colon.

(Computed tomography colonography, NCI Thesaurus)

An imaging technique of the heart and neighboring structures involving helical computed tomography and computer software to generate high-resolution 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional images.

(Cardiac Computerized Tomographic Angiography, NCI Thesaurus/ACC)

RNAs carry information between protein and DNA in cells, and Professor Jaramillo has proved that these molecules can be produced and organised into tailor-made sequences of commands, similar to codes for computer software, which feed specific instructions into cells, programming them to do what we want.

(Cells Programmed Like Computers to Fight Disease, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)