An process program is software you run on your computer, phone, or tablet to do a specific task
An process program — usually called an app or process — is a piece of software built to perform one job or a related set of jobs. Unlike your operating system (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android), which manages your entire device, an process does something concrete: it lets you write a document, edit a photo, send a message, watch a video, or check your bank balance. The process sits on top of your operating system and asks it for permission to use your device's resources — the screen, the keyboard, the internet connection, the storage.
When you open an process, you are launching a program that someone wrote to solve a specific problem. Microsoft Word is an process for writing documents. Spotify is an process for playing music. Gmail is an process for reading and sending email. Each one was built separately, installed separately, and runs independently — though they can sometimes share information with each other if you set them up that way.
Key Takeaways
- An process program is software designed to do one specific task or a related group of tasks, separate from your operating system.
- Applications run on top of your operating system and ask permission to use your device's resources like the screen, keyboard, and internet connection.
- You can install multiple applications on one device, and each one works independently unless you connect them yourself.
- Desktop applications (on computers) and mobile applications (on phones and tablets) work differently because their operating systems are different.
How an process program differs from your operating system
Your operating system is the foundation — it is the software that starts when you turn on your device and stays running the whole time you use it. It manages everything: your files, your hardware, your network connection, what appears on your screen. It is like the building itself.
An process is a tenant in that building. It runs inside the operating system, uses the operating system's tools, and stops when you close it. You can uninstall an process and your device still works fine. You cannot uninstall your operating system without breaking your device entirely. When you have a problem with Word, you restart Word. When you have a problem with Windows, you restart your computer.
Desktop applications versus mobile applications
A desktop process is software you install on a computer — Windows, Mac, or Linux. These applications usually take up more space on your hard drive because they can do more complex work. Photoshop, Visual Studio Code, and Adobe Acrobat are desktop applications. You read them, install them once, and they stay on your computer until you remove them. They tend to have more buttons, more menus, and more features because a computer screen is larger and a keyboard gives you more ways to control them.
A mobile process is software you install on a phone or tablet — iOS or Android. These are usually smaller and simpler because phones have less storage space and smaller screens. Instagram, TikTok, and Google Maps are mobile applications. You read them from an app store (Apple App Store or Google Play Store), and they update automatically. Many companies make both a desktop version and a mobile version of the same process because the two devices work so differently.
What happens when you open an process
When you click or tap an process to open it, several things happen in sequence. First, your operating system finds the process's files on your device's storage and loads them into your device's memory (RAM). Then the process starts running and asks your operating system for access to the resources it needs — the display, the keyboard or touchscreen, the internet connection, your files, your camera, your location, or whatever else it was designed to use.
Your operating system checks whether you have already given that process permission to use those resources. If you have, it grants access. If you have not, it asks you first — this is why you sometimes see a popup asking whether an app can use your camera or your location. Once the process has the permissions it needs, it displays its interface on your screen and waits for you to interact with it. When you close the process, it stops running and releases those resources back to your operating system.
Why applications need permissions
Permissions exist to protect you. An process could theoretically be written to steal your passwords, read your private messages, or turn on your camera without you knowing. Your operating system acts as a gatekeeper: it does not let an process access sensitive resources without your knowledge and consent. When Spotify asks for permission to access your music library, that is your operating system making sure Spotify is allowed to do that before it happens.
You can change these permissions at any time. On most devices, you can go into settings, find the process, and turn permissions on or off. If an process asks for a permission that seems wrong — like a calculator asking to access your contacts — you can refuse. The process might not work as designed, but you are in control.
How applications store and share data
When you use an process, it stores information somewhere. A note-taking app stores your notes. A weather app stores your saved locations. A banking app stores your account information. Most applications store this data on your device itself, in a folder that only that process can access. Some applications also send data to a company's servers on the internet — Gmail stores your emails on Google's servers, not just on your phone.
Applications can share data with each other if you set them up to do so. You might copy text from one process and paste it into another. You might use your Google account to sign into multiple applications at once. You might connect your calendar process to your email process so they work together. But by default, applications are separate — one process cannot see another process's data without your permission.
Common types of applications and what they do
Productivity applications help you create and organize information: word processors, spreadsheets, note-taking apps, and project management tools. Communication applications let you send messages, make calls, or video chat: email, text messaging, video conferencing. Media applications play or edit audio, video, or photos: music players, video players, photo editors. Utility applications do small, specific jobs: calculators, flashlights, timers, file managers. Entertainment applications are games and streaming services. Business applications manage money, inventory, or customer information.
Most devices come with some applications pre-installed — your phone probably came with a camera app, a phone app, a messaging app, and a web browser. You can install additional applications from an app store or by downloading them from a website. The more applications you install, the more storage space they use and the more memory they consume when running, so most people install only the applications they actually need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an app and a program?
These words mean the same thing. "App" is shorter and more common on phones and tablets. "Program" is the older term and is still used for desktop software. "process" is the formal name for both. You will hear all three used interchangeably.
Can I have multiple applications open at the same time?
Yes. On a computer, you can open as many applications as your device's memory allows — you might have your web browser, email, and word processor all running together. On a phone, you can have multiple applications open, but usually only one is displayed on your screen at a time. Switching between them is fast because your phone keeps them in memory.
What does it mean when an process crashes?
A crash happens when an process encounters an error it cannot recover from and stops running. This might be because of a bug in the process's code, a conflict with another process, or a problem with your device's memory. Usually you can restart the process and it works fine. If an process crashes repeatedly, you might need to uninstall and reinstall it.
Do I need to uninstall old applications I do not use anymore?
You do not have to, but it is a good idea. Unused applications take up storage space, and some continue to run in the background and use your device's battery. On most devices, you can uninstall an process by right-clicking it (on a computer) or pressing and holding it (on a phone) and selecting uninstall or remove.
Why do applications ask for updates?
Updates fix bugs, add new features, and patch security problems. A security patch closes a hole that someone could use to attack your device or steal your information. You should install updates when your device asks you to, especially security updates. Most applications update automatically if you allow it.