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It seems to be a naive question, but I was unable to find an explicit definition and difference in meaning of the words "software", "program", "application", and "gadget". What is the correct (at least theoretically) way to use each of these words?

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You can use the three interchangeably in most cases. – Oded♦ Oct 14 '11 at 13:49
That is the reason that I asked this simple question. People use them almost equally. There should be a theoretical difference (which is not followed obviously). – All Oct 14 '11 at 13:53
You forgot the new and cool names like "app" and "gadget". Not that I like them... – Coder Oct 14 '11 at 13:59
app is obviously abbreviation of application, and but gadget is another confusing term. Thanks for adding :) Let me add it to the question :) – All Oct 14 '11 at 14:32

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The differences are mostly connotative and contextual.

"Software" can refer to the entire field, or in the specific to the general part of something that isn't hardware or to a collection of things that aren't necessarily part of the same program/app. ("An iPhone is great hardware, but it would be nothing without the software").

"Application" is a complete unit that may consist of more than one module in more than one language on more than one computer, all working together. It may not, in which case it is pretty much the same as a "program".

"Program" has the connotation of being a discrete unit, and while it is used interchangeably with "application", it seems awkward to refer to a "web program" instead of a "web app", or a "client/server program", instead of a "client/server app". "Program" is often used to refer to a complete operational unit as seen from a developer rather than a user perspective (it seems old-fashioned to refer, as a user, to installing a "program" instead of an "app"), and often for things that are not intended for public use, such as a testing program or proof of concept program.

"Gadget" (which I take to mean the same as "widget") usually means something smaller than an app, (though it is one), usually because it has less than a full-featured gui, it often runs inside or attached to something else, or is used casually to do one single thing, like checking the weather, rather than with prolonged interaction.

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To put it another way, "software" is the "stuff" that apps, programs, and gadgets/widgets are made out of. The other three describe different forms that "stuff" gets made into and different kinds of uses, rather than strictly different things altogether. – kylben Oct 14 '11 at 15:45
up vote 4 down vote

"Program" refers to an executable sequence of instructions that can be directly run by a computer (as opposed to a library, which can only be run by an outside program).

"Program" and "Application" are mostly interchangeable, though "Application" almost always refers to a program for a specific task that has some kind of user interface (as opposed to services/daemons, drivers, etc.).

"Software" is an umbrella term for all computer instructions, whether it be a program, library, framework, OS, or sometimes even the code itself.

"Gadget" is just a useful piece of electronic hardware, usually handheld, often shiny and overpriced.

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That's a good point about "app" being more user-centric and "program" being more system-centric. – kylben Oct 14 '11 at 15:47
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No no, that's "application". "App" is it's bastardized buzzword abbreviation that, while it should mean the same thing, is apparently only for hand-held devices. And "program" doesn't exclude user-centric software. "Application" is a subset of "program". – Philip Oct 14 '11 at 19:35
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I would say that the terms "program" and "application" are used synonymously. However, the term "software" can be more generic and does not necessarily always mean "program" or "application" (e.g. a software "library" or "framework" is not a "program" or "application", but are used to facilitate the functional requirements of "programs" or "applications").

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