Final answer:
The programs that run on a computer are called software, which are developed by computer scientists and engineers and range from simple commands to complex systems controls.
Step-by-step explanation:
The programs that run on a computer are commonly referred to as software. On the physical level, a computer is executing a series of electronic changes, but at the design level, it is running a program created by computer scientists and engineers. These programs are essential because they define the tasks computers perform, from simple calculations to complex operations like controlling automobile engines or assisting physically challenged individuals.
Through an analogy, just like how our genetic makeup and experience determine our actions, a computer program combined with its input history dictates what a computer will do next. Hence, in the realm of computers, thinking can be seen as a computational process, where the software acts as the mind does to the brain.
Diverse materials have been used to build computers over the years, from Charles Babbage's mechanical computer concept to today's advanced electronic computers constructed with transistors and silicon chips. These inventions emphasize the flexibility and power of computer programming that engineers and companies like Microsoft, Apple, and Hewlett Packard leverage to create innovative solutions.