software
UK: ˈsɒftweə | US: ˈsɔːftwer
n. programs and other operating information used by a computer
The term "software" emerged in the late 1940s as a counterpart to "hardware," which referred to physical computer components. "Soft" contrasts with "hard," emphasizing the intangible nature of programs, while "ware" (from Old English "waru," meaning "manufactured goods") denotes functional objects. This pairing reflects the duality of computing systems—physical machinery ("hardware") and the coded instructions ("software") that animate them.
The company develops innovative software for data analysis.
She updated the software to fix security vulnerabilities.
Open-source software allows users to modify the code freely.
The new accounting software streamlined their financial processes.
Without proper software, the computer cannot perform complex tasks.