Which of the following best describes software?

The correct response accurately describes software as a computer component that encompasses programs and data files. Software is fundamentally different from hardware; while hardware refers to the physical components of a computer, such as the keyboard, monitor, and motherboard, software consists of the instructions and data that tell the hardware what to do. Programs are sets of instructions executed by the computer, and data files are the collections of information that those programs manage or manipulate.

This description captures the essence of what software is and how it functions within a computing environment, highlighting that it is central to the operation of hardware by providing the necessary guidance and frameworks for tasks to be performed. Understanding this distinction is crucial in software and app design since the development process involves creating software that optimally utilizes the underlying hardware.