Software

The introduction of high-level programming languages in 1958 allowed for more human-readable instructions, making software development easier and more portable across different computer architectures.

Over time, software has become complex, owing to developments in networking, operating systems, and databases.

The first use of the word software to describe computer programs is credited to mathematician John Wilder Tukey in 1958.

The introduction of high-level programming languages in 1958 hid the details of the hardware and expressed the underlying algorithms into the code .

[27] Formal methods are used in some safety-critical systems to prove the correctness of code,[28] while user acceptance testing helps to ensure that the product meets customer expectations.

[29] There are a variety of software development methodologies, which vary from completing all steps in order to concurrent and iterative models.

[31] Frequently, software is released in an incomplete state when the development team runs out of time or funding.

[35] Over the lifetime of the product, software maintenance is estimated to comprise 75 percent or more of the total development cost.

[40] Quality is an overarching term that can refer to a code's correct and efficient behavior, its reusability and portability, or the ease of modification.

[42] Higher quality code will reduce lifetime cost to both suppliers and customers as it is more reliable and easier to maintain.

[46] The rise of the Internet also greatly increased the need for computer security as it enabled malicious actors to conduct cyberattacks remotely.

[57] The invention of high-level programming languages was simultaneous with the compilers needed to translate them automatically into machine code.

The underlying ideas or algorithms are not protected by copyright law, but are often treated as a trade secret and concealed by such methods as non-disclosure agreements.

Proprietary software is usually sold under a restrictive license that limits copying and reuse (often enforced with tools such as digital rights management (DRM)).

[71] Engineer Capers Jones writes that "computers and software are making profound changes to every aspect of human life: education, work, warfare, entertainment, medicine, law, and everything else".

[75][76] New methods of communication, including email, forums, blogs, microblogging, wikis, and social media, were enabled by the Internet.

[77] Massive amounts of knowledge exceeding any paper-based library are now available with a quick web search.

[76] Most creative professionals have switched to software-based tools such as computer-aided design, 3D modeling, digital image editing, and computer animation.