SOFTWARE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does software mean? 

• SOFTWARE (noun)
  The noun 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: SOFTWARE used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• 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 ("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 "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)

Antonym:

hardware ((computer science) the mechanical, magnetic, electronic, and electrical components making up a computer system)

 Context examples 

The device software attempted to write data outside the allowed memory location.

(Device Out of Bounds Error Evaluation Result, Food and Drug Administration)

The device software was found to contain errors in the user interface (including usability problems) or the interfaces with other systems.

(Device Interface Design Error Evaluation Result, Food and Drug Administration)

The device software contained software errors that did not impact its operation.

(Device Non-Functional Defect Evaluation Result, Food and Drug Administration)

Special software captured how often the children looked at different regions, as well as the timing and direction of eye movements.

(Children’s visual engagement is heritable and altered in autism, National Institutes of Health)

The device software failed because two or more processes compete with each other such that the program does not perform as intended.

(Device Software Livelock Evaluation Result, Food and Drug Administration)

The Wi-Fi Alliance said it "could be resolved through a straightforward software update."

(Digital security researchers publicly reveal vulnerability in WPA2 WiFi protocol, Wikinews)

Issue associated with written programs, codes, and/or software system that affects device performance or communication with another device.

(Computer Software Problem Associated with Medical Device, NCI Thesaurus)

The act of writing code for the software of an in vitro diagnostic device.

(Code Writing of Software Platform or Architecture for in Vitro Diagnostics Device, NCI Thesaurus)

A software layer that converts data from an application into a form that will allow integration with other applications.

(Application Adapter, NCI Thesaurus)

The device software locked up because two or more processes were waiting for each other to finish.

(Device Software Deadlock Evaluation Result, Food and Drug Administration)