Microsoft Software Developer Mock Interview
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Question 29 of 30
I’ve heard applications referred to as both software and programs. Which terminology do you use, and how do these differ?
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William Swansen has worked in the employment assistance realm since 2007. He is an author, job search strategist, and career advisor who helps individuals worldwide and in various professions to find their ideal careers.
During a software developer interview with Microsoft, you will be asked to discuss terms, processes, and other aspects of your job. An interviewer will ask these questions to explore your knowledge, skills, experience, and qualifications for this job. When presented with two similar but different terms, you should be prepared to compare and contrast them. Start by defining each term and then discussing their differences.
William Swansen has worked in the employment assistance realm since 2007. He is an author, job search strategist, and career advisor who helps individuals worldwide and in various professions to find their ideal careers.
"It is common for people to confuse these terms. While they are similar, there are subtle differences between them. My definition of these terms is that a computer program is a set of code that executes specific tasks. This typically takes the form of an application. Computer software is any code that performs a function on a computing device. These can include the operating system, drivers, system software, APIs, applications, and other code. Computer software includes computer programs, but computer programs don't always include all the software. Computer Software is more machine-centric, while computer programs are more user-centric. Is this how you use these terms here at Microsoft?"
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