Basic definitions: Which statement correctly defines a program?

Introduction / Context:
Computing terminology distinguishes between hardware (devices), software (programs), and system characteristics (interactive processing). This question focuses on the precise definition of a program.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• A program is software, not a device.
• Programs consist of instructions executed by a processor.
• Other options describe hardware or operating modes, not programs.

Concept / Approach:

The canonical definition is that a program is a finite sequence of instructions intended to perform a task. It may be stored on a device, but it is not the device itself. Interactivity describes processing style, not what a program is.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Introductory CS texts define a program exactly as a sequence of instructions in a programming language intended for execution by a computer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Option A and B: Define hardware (processor, memory), not software.
• Option D: Describes time-sharing OS behavior, not a program.
• None of the above: Incorrect because option C is correct.

Common Pitfalls:

Equating “computer” with “program”; a program is an abstract artifact that runs on hardware but is not the hardware itself.

Final Answer:

is a sequence of instructions