Programming terminology The complete set of instructions that a computer executes to perform a task is called a(n) ________.

Introduction / Context:
In computing, we distinguish between data, instructions, and the hardware that executes them. The term “program” denotes an ordered collection of instructions (and possibly data) arranged to achieve a specific outcome when executed by a processor or interpreter.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Instructions exist in a defined sequence.
• The computer can fetch, decode, and execute these instructions.
• Inputs/outputs are roles in I/O operations, not the instruction set itself.

Concept / Approach:
A program can be in machine language, assembly, or a high-level language compiled/interpreted into executable form. It encompasses control flow (branches, loops), data manipulation, and interactions with memory and peripherals to accomplish tasks from simple calculations to complex applications.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Operating systems manage program execution via processes or tasks; development toolchains produce program binaries from source code, affirming the standard term.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Input/Output: These are data directions, not the instruction set.
• Control unit: Hardware that orchestrates execution; not the instruction sequence.
• Instruction opcode only: A single operation code cannot constitute a complete set.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing “program” with “algorithm”: an algorithm is a method; a program is a concrete implementation in code executed by a computer.

Final Answer:
program