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Software vs Window - What's the difference?

software | window |

As nouns the difference between software and window

is that software is encoded computer instructions, usually modifiable (unless stored in some form of unalterable memory such as ROM). Compare hardware while window is an opening, usually covered by one or more panes of clear glass, to allow light and air from outside to enter a building or vehicle.

As a verb window is

to furnish with windows.

software

English

Noun

(-)
  • (computing) Encoded computer instructions, usually modifiable (unless stored in some form of unalterable memory such as ROM). Compare hardware.
  • * 1958 , John W. Tukey, "The Teaching of Concrete Mathematics" in The American Mathematical Monthly , vol. 65, no. 1 (Jan. 1958), pp 1-9:
    • The "software " comprising the carefully planned interpretive routines, compilers, and other aspects of automative programming are at least as important to the modern electronic calculator as its "hardware" of tubes, transistors, wires, tapes and the like.
  • * 1995 , Paul Niquette, Softword: Provenance for the Word ‘Software’ :
    • As originally conceived, the word "software " was merely an obvious way to distinguish a program from the computer itself. A program comprised sequences of changeable instructions each having the power to command the behavior of the permanently crafted machinery, the "hardware."

    Usage notes

    Software'' is a mass noun (''some software'', ''a piece of software''). By non-native speakers it is sometimes erroneously treated as a countable noun (''a software'', ''some softwares ).

    Hyponyms

    * See also

    Derived terms

    * * * * * * * *

    Related terms

    * adware * bloatware * firmware * freeware * hardware * malware * schlockware * shareware * spyware * vaporware * wetware

    See also

    * application * assembly * assembler * bug * code * coding * compilation * compiler * debugging * interpreter * linking * linker * open source * patch * programming * script * utilities * warez

    References

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    window

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An opening, usually covered by one or more panes of clear glass, to allow light and air from outside to enter a building or vehicle.
  • *
  • *:But then I had the [massive] flintlock by me for protection. ¶.
  • *1952 , , Building in England , p.173:
  • *:A window is an opening in a wall to admit light and air.
  • *{{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess)
    • , chapter=14 citation , passage=Nanny Broome was looking up at the outer wall.  Just under the ceiling there were three lunette windows , heavily barred and blacked out in the normal way by centuries of grime.}}
  • An opening, usually covered by glass, in a shop which allows people to view the shop and its products from outside.
  • *
  • *:There is an hour or two, after the passengers have embarked, which is disquieting and fussy.Passengers wander restlessly about or hurry, with futile energy, from place to place. Pushing men hustle each other at the windows of the purser's office, under pretence of expecting letters or despatching telegrams.
  • (lb) The shutter, casement, sash with its fittings, or other framework, which closes a window opening.
  • A period of time when something is available.
  • :
  • (lb) A rectangular area on a computer terminal or screen containing some kind of user interface, displaying the output of and allowing input for one of a number of simultaneously running computer processes.
  • A figure formed of lines crossing each other.
  • * (1663-1712)
  • *:till he has windows on his bread and butter

    • Coordinate terms

    * door

    Derived terms

    * bay window * bow window * cabinet window * casement window * Catherine-wheel window * compass window * dormer window * electric window * French window, french window * gable window * garret window * go out of the window, go out the window * Jesse window * Judas window, judas window * lancet window * lattice window * launch window * loop-window * low side window * lucarne window * luthern-window * maintenance window * mezzanine window * mullion window * Norman window * ogive window * oriel window * picture window * re-entry window * rose window * sash window * shop window * show window * storm window * therapeutic window * transfer window * transom window * trap window * trellis window * weather window * window bar * window blind * window box * window cleaner * window curtain * window display * window dresser * window-dressing * windowed * window envelope * window frame * windowfront * window gardening * window glass * windowing * window ledge * windowless * window manager * window of opportunity * window pane, windowpane * window plant * Windows * window sash * window screen * window seat * window-shopping * window sill, windowsill * window swallow * window tax * window washer

    Related terms

    * wind

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To furnish with windows.
  • To place at or in a window.
    • Wouldst thou be windowed in great Rome and see / Thy master thus with pleach'd arms, bending down / His corrigible neck? — Shakespeare.

    Statistics

    * 1000 English basic words