Talk:Computer program: Difference between revisions

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:::Followup: In "Comparative Programming Languages, Third Edition", the authors write, {{tq|"A computer is a tool that solves problems by means of programs (or software) written in a programming language."}} In the Implementation section is written, {{tq|"Execution of a program written in an imperative language, such as Pascal, Ada, or C++, normally takes place by translating (compiling) the source program into an equivalent machine code program. This machine code is then executed."}} In the Separate Compilation section is written, {{tq|"Packages ... can be compiled separately..."}} In "C How to Program, Second Edition", the author writes, {{tq|"The compiler translates the C program into machine language code (also referred to as object code)."}} Later it says, {{tq|"The fourth phase is called linking. C programs typically contain references to functions defined elsewhere such as in the standard libaries or in the libraries of a group of programmers working on a particular project."}} It also says, {{tq|"A linker links the object code with the code for the missing functions to produce an executable."}} Therefore, computer programs (also called software) are written in a programming language that gets translated to another computer program called machine language. Large computer programs may be separated into object code files for convenience. The entire library is then compiled to an executable computer program. Software (also called computer programs) can exist at different levels. At each level, it's still called software -- it's still called computer programs. [[User:Timhowardriley|Timhowardriley]] ([[User talk:Timhowardriley|talk]]) 21:40, 14 June 2025 (UTC)

::::You're really straining to interpret this source to say what you want it to say. ~[[User:Kvng|Kvng]] ([[User talk:Kvng|talk]]) 15:54, 2 July 2025 (UTC)

: {{strike|'''merge'''}} Software is a type of thing, a bit like metal is a type of substance. A computer program is a bundle of software and other resources needed to perform some task on a computer. So, a computer program contains software, but can also contain other things, like graphics or data for the task. They are not quite the same thing, but it is reasonable to have one WP article that covers both topics as long as the distinction is covered in the article. The merged article will still need some work as both articles include some misconceptions. — [[User:GhostInTheMachine|GhostInTheMachine]] ^{[[User talk:GhostInTheMachine|talk to me]]} 07:36, 23 June 2025 (UTC)

::# Regarding "metal is a type of substance": I agree. Dictionary.com says, "[metal is] any of a class of elementary substances ... which are characterized by [additional attributes]". The set of metals is a subset of the set of substances. Therefore, metals have all the properties of substances, plus additional properties that other substances don't have.

::# Regarding "a computer program contains software, but can also contain other things, like graphics or data for the task.": I disagree. The set of computer programs is not a subset of the set of software. Computer programs do have all the properties of software -- they are the instructions for the CPU. However, they don't have additional attributes. Therefore, the set of computer programs equals the set of software. Likewise, the set of software equals the set of computer programs.

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::# Quote a sentence or two from a reliable source that indicate a library of functions isn't a computer program.

::Also, GhostinTheMachine has not refuted my claims that graphics files and data for the task are not computer programs. Also, I challenged GhostinTheMachine to be technical regarding the {{tq|I do know that a '''computer program''' may contain non-software components}} claim. No technical explanation was provided. [[User:Timhowardriley|Timhowardriley]] ([[User talk:Timhowardriley|talk]]) 16:39, 2 July 2025 (UTC)

::The [[software]] article will probably survive because [[Wikipedia:Be_Afraid|many editors have contributed to it]], and that's okay. However, I'm not going to let a [[semantic argument]] insult my intelligence. [[User:Timhowardriley|Timhowardriley]] ([[User talk:Timhowardriley|talk]]) 17:05, 2 July 2025 (UTC)

:::The new quotes do not clearly support your position IMO - the word ''software'' does not appear in them. We need a [[WP:CONSENSUS|consensus of editors]] to proceed with the merge. That does not mean you need to get my agreement to proceed but we do need to hear from other editors who see it the way you do and that has not happened. ~[[User:Kvng|Kvng]] ([[User talk:Kvng|talk]]) 14:57, 12 July 2025 (UTC)

* '''oppose''' — revisited both articles, so reversing my comment. Both articles need some work, so any attempt to merge them will probably prove troublesome and most likely impossible — [[User:GhostInTheMachine|GhostInTheMachine]] ^{[[User talk:GhostInTheMachine|talk to me]]} 16:05, 24 July 2025 (UTC)

== AmE vs BrE ==