How Software Works: Code, Software, and Hardware

Summary

This script delves into the foundational tech principles of code, software, and hardware. Code, akin to instructions for a computer, is stored in files and written for hardware to execute. Hardware, often referred to as 'machine,' typically consists of a CPU housed within a computer. Software can denote either the code itself or the code running on hardware, executing instructions. Programming languages make code human-readable, but hardware interprets it as binary signals. Creating software involves collaboration among designers, developers, and business representatives, ensuring the software meets the desired features for specific use cases.

Takeaways

• 💻 **Code**: Code is a set of instructions written for computers, stored in files, and is designed to be read by hardware rather than humans.
• 🔠 **Human Readable Code**: Developers write code in programming languages that are easy to read and modify, making it 'human readable'.
• 🛠️ **Hardware**: At the core of hardware is the CPU (Central Processing Unit), which is a single chip that communicates with the outside world.
• 👨‍💻 **Software**: The term 'software' can refer to the code itself or to the code when it's being executed on a machine.
• 🔁 **Execution**: When code is run on a machine, it is said to be executing, which means the machine is following the set of instructions.
• 👥 **Collaboration**: Creating software involves teams of designers, developers, and business representatives working together to ensure the software meets the required features.
• 🔢 **Binary Representation**: On hardware, instructions are represented by binary code, consisting of electrical signals (zeros and ones) that run through circuits.
• 🔄 **Logical Operations**: The binary code in hardware performs logical operations, like adding numbers or processing payments.
• 🔧 **Use Case Dependence**: The specific code and hardware used depend on the use case for the software being developed.
• 🌐 **Communication with the Outside World**: Hardware is equipped with necessary components to interact with the external environment.

Q & A

What is the primary function of code?

Code serves as a set of instructions for a computer, written in a way that hardware can execute.

How is code different from a Word document?

While both are stored in files, code is written for hardware to read and execute, unlike Word documents which are for human consumption.

What is the core component of hardware mentioned in the script?

The core component of hardware is a single chip called the Central Processing Unit (CPU).

What do technologists refer to as 'machine' in the context of hardware?

In the context of hardware, technologists use the term 'machine' to describe the hardware on which code is executed.

What are the two meanings of the term 'software' as described in the script?

The term 'software' can refer to either the code written by developers and stored in a repository, or the code that is being run on a machine, which is when the machine is executing the code.

Why is code not useful on its own?

Code is not useful on its own because it needs to be run on a machine to instruct and produce results.

How are instructions represented in hardware?

Instructions in hardware are represented by zeros and ones, which are electrical signals that run through circuits.

What kind of results do the electrical signals in hardware produce?

The electrical signals in hardware produce logical results such as adding two numbers together or making a payment.

Why is human-readable code important for developers?

Human-readable code is important for developers because it is easier to read, write, and modify compared to binary code.

What roles do designers, developers, and business representatives play in creating software?

Designers, developers, and business representatives work together to create software with the correct features, ensuring that the software meets both technical and business requirements.

What should one keep in mind as the fundamental model for software development?

The fundamental model for software development is that developers write code which is then run on hardware, with the specific code and hardware depending on the use case of the software being built.