What is the primary function of software?

The primary function of software is to provide instructions to hardware, facilitating the operation and management of computer systems. Software acts as a mediator between users and the computer hardware, enabling users to execute various tasks ranging from basic operations to complex applications. Without software, hardware components would not know how to function or how to process user commands.

This capability of software allows it to perform a wide variety of tasks, including word processing, data analysis, and multimedia playback, among many others. It transforms raw hardware, such as processors and memory, into functional systems that can carry out useful activities. While calculations, management of hardware components, and enhancement of physical components are aspects of computing, they are secondary to the overarching role of software in guiding and controlling hardware operations.