What is the general term used for programs that run on computers?

The term "software" refers to a collection of programs, data, and instructions that instruct a computer on how to perform specific tasks. This encompasses a wide range of applications, including operating systems, applications for productivity, multimedia, security, and more. Software can be categorized into different types, such as system software, which manages hardware components, and application software, which performs user-oriented tasks.

In contrast, "hardware" pertains to the physical components of a computer system, like the CPU, memory, and storage devices, while "firmware" refers to a specialized type of software that is closely tied to specific hardware and is stored in non-volatile memory. Lastly, a "network" consists of connected devices that communicate with each other but does not refer to programs or software. Hence, software is indeed the most fitting term for programs that operate on computers.