

Today, with cloud computing and online services, it may be confusing to know how to define a service, such as Google Docs. In other words, a word processor program can create a document, but it cannot be used to browse the Internet. A program is usually designed to perform a specific task (function), and only that task. The function of a word processor is to create, view, and edit documents.

For example, the function of a browser program is to browse the Internet. The functions of a program vary depending on the type of program. What are the basic functions of a program? Without a browser program, the computer would not be able to browse the Internet. A browser is a program that instructs the computer how to visit, display, and navigate a web page. For example, to browse the Internet, you would install a browser on the computer. A program gives the computer and user the ability to perform specific tasks. Without application software (programs), your computer would be able to operate with the operating system ( system software), but would not be capable of doing anything else. See our software page for information on software that is considered a program and software that is a different category.If you visit the program category page, you can see other examples of programs of that category. Below are a few examples and the related program category. There are millions of different programs available for computers, phones, and other devices today. On an Apple Macintosh computer, a program ends with. Executing these files runs the program and allows it to be used on the computer. What type of files are program files?Ī program file must be an executable file and for software programs running Microsoft Windows end with a file extension of. See our command page for further information. programsĪ command is an instruction that is given to a program or operating system to perform an action. See our script term for further information and the pros and cons of scripts. However, once installed, a script can run on any platform without needing to be re-written. Without an interpreter, the script cannot run on the computer. A script is not compiled and needs an interpreter to translate the script into something the computer understands. Once compiled, the program does not need any other programs to run as long as the computer has the required operating system and platform. When a program is created, it's compiled into a language that the computer can understand. See our app page for further information on mobile apps. With all the different ways companies and people use these terms, it's best to think of an application, app, and program as the same thing.
