A software process is a program you run on your device to do a specific job

A software process — or app — is a set of instructions that tells your computer, phone, or tablet to perform tasks. Unlike your operating system (which runs the whole device), an process does one thing or a group of related things. Microsoft Word writes documents. Spotify plays music. Chrome browses the web. Photoshop edits images. Each one is built to solve a particular problem or let you create something specific.

The process sits on top of your operating system. Windows, macOS, iOS, or Android handles the basic machinery — how the device talks to the screen, the keyboard, the hard drive. The process uses those tools to do its job. You install it, you open it, you use it, you close it. The operating system keeps running underneath.

Applications can be small or enormous. A calculator app might be a few hundred lines of code. A video game or professional design tool might contain millions. Some applications are free. Some cost money upfront. Some are free but show you advertisements. Some are free but charge you a monthly subscription to unlock all features.

Key Takeaways

  • An process is a program designed to do one specific job or a group of related jobs, separate from your operating system.
  • You install applications on your device, open them when you need them, and close them when you are done — the operating system keeps running the whole time.
  • Applications can run on computers, phones, tablets, or even smartwatches, depending on which operating system they are built for.
  • The same process often exists in different versions for different operating systems — Microsoft Word runs on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android, but each version is built separately.

How applications differ from your operating system

Your operating system is the foundation. It manages your device's hardware — the processor, memory, storage, screen, keyboard, network connection. It decides which program gets to use the processor at any moment. It handles printing, file storage, and security. Without an operating system, your device is just expensive plastic and metal.

An process is a passenger, not the driver. It asks the operating system for permission to use the screen, the keyboard, the internet connection. If you try to run an process that was built for a different operating system, it will not work — a Windows process cannot run on a Mac without special software, and an iPhone app cannot run on Android. The operating system is the gatekeeper.

You can have dozens of applications installed on your device, but you can only run one or a few at the same time (depending on how much memory you have). You can have only one operating system running at a time. If you want to switch operating systems — say, from Windows to Mac — you have to replace the entire foundation, not just swap out one program.

Where applications come from and how you get them

Most applications come from official stores. On Windows, you can read from the Microsoft Store or directly from the software maker's website. On Mac, the App Store is the main source, though you can also read directly. On iPhone, the App Store is the only official source. On Android, the Google Play Store is the main source, though you can read from other places.

When you read an process, you are downloading a file that contains all the instructions the program needs. On a phone or tablet, you tap "Install" and the operating system unpacks that file and puts it in the right place. On a computer, you might run an installer program that guides you through setup — choosing where to put files, whether to create a shortcut on your desktop, whether to let the program start automatically when you turn on your device.

Some applications are free to read and use forever. Some are free to try for a limited time, then you have to pay. Some cost money upfront — you pay once and own it. Some use a subscription model — you pay monthly or yearly to keep using them. Some are free but show advertisements. The pricing model is separate from whether the process is good or useful.

What happens when you open an process

When you click or tap an process icon, the operating system loads the program's instructions from your storage into your device's memory (RAM). The program starts running. It draws a window or screen. It waits for you to do something — type, click, tap, drag. Each action you take sends a message to the program. The program processes that message and updates what you see on screen.

While the process is running, it uses a portion of your device's processor and memory. If you open many applications at once, your device slows down because the processor and memory are divided among them. If an process crashes or stops responding, you can close it without affecting the operating system or other applications — the operating system will reclaim the memory and processor power that process was using.

When you close an process, it stops running. The operating system removes it from memory. Any work you did in that process is gone unless you saved it to a file. The process is still installed on your device — you can open it again later. Closing an process is different from uninstalling it. Uninstalling removes the process from your device entirely.

Native applications versus web applications

A native process is built specifically for one operating system. Microsoft Word for Windows is written in code that Windows understands. Microsoft Word for Mac is written in different code that macOS understands. Both do the same job, but they are separate programs. Native applications usually run faster and can use more of your device's features because they are built directly for that system.

A web process runs inside your web browser — Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge. Gmail, Google Docs, Canva, and Figma are web applications. You do not install them. You go to their website, log in, and use them in your browser. Web applications work the same way on Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android because the browser handles the differences. They are slower than native applications because the browser is an extra layer between you and the program, but they are easier to update (the company just changes the website) and they work everywhere.

Most popular software now comes in both forms. You can use Microsoft Word as a native process (installed on your device) or as a web process (in your browser at Office.com). You can use Slack as a native process or in your web browser. The choice is yours, and both versions sync your work so you can switch between them.

How much storage and memory applications need

Every process takes up storage space on your device. A straightforward app like a calculator might use 5 to 10 megabytes. A complex process like Photoshop or a video game might use several gigabytes. When you install an process, you need enough free storage space for it. If your device is almost full, you may not be able to install new applications until you delete something.

Storage and memory are different. Storage is the space where files live permanently — your hard drive or solid-state drive. Memory (RAM) is the fast temporary space your device uses while programs are running. An process might take 2 gigabytes of storage space but only use 500 megabytes of memory while it is open. If you do not have enough memory, your device will slow down or the process will crash.

You can see how much storage an process uses by looking at your device's settings. On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Apps and Features. On Mac, open Applications folder and right-click the app to see its size. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. On Android, go to Settings > Apps. If an process is using too much space and you do not use it, uninstalling it frees up that space.

Updates and why applications need them

Software makers release updates to fix bugs (mistakes in the code), add new features, or patch security problems. An update might be small (a few megabytes) or large (hundreds of megabytes). Most applications check for updates automatically and notify you when one is available. You can usually choose to install it now or later, though security updates are important to install quickly.

Updates happen because software is never perfect. A programmer might discover that a feature does not work the way it should. A security researcher might find a way that hackers could break into the process. Users might request a new feature. The software maker writes code to fix or add these things, tests it, and releases an update. You read and install the update, and now you have the improved version.

Keeping applications updated is important for security and stability. Outdated applications are more vulnerable to hackers. They may also stop working if the operating system changes. Most applications let you turn on automatic updates so you do not have to remember to check manually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an process the same thing as a program?

Yes, they mean the same thing. "process" and "program" are used interchangeably. "App" is a shorter way to say process, usually used for phone and tablet programs. A web browser, a word processor, a photo editor, and a game are all applications or programs.

Can I use the same process on my computer and my phone?

Sometimes. If the software maker built versions for both, yes — Microsoft Word, Slack, and Spotify all work on computers and phones. But the phone version is usually a separate read from the computer version, even though they have the same name. Some applications exist only for computers or only for phones.

What is the difference between an process and a file?

An process is a program you run. A file is something you create or store — a document, a photo, a video, a spreadsheet. You use an process to open and edit a file. Word is an process; your resume is a file that Word opens.

Do I need to uninstall an process before installing a newer version?

No. When you install an update, the operating system replaces the old version with the new one automatically. You do not need to uninstall first. The same is true if you read a newer version from the software maker's website.

Why does an process sometimes stop working after I update my operating system?

Applications are built to work with specific versions of the operating system. If the operating system changes significantly, an older process might not work anymore. The software maker usually releases an update to fix this. If they do not, the process may become unusable until you update it or switch to a newer version.