# software (digital)

Data arranged in a regular pattern that enables a device to function.

- Computed level: L17 (depth in the emergence graph, not abstraction)
- Status: review  ·  Domain: software  ·  Arena: software.digital

## Emergence
**Emerges from:** [data](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-data.information), [pattern](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-pattern.regularity), [device](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-device.tool), [order](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-order.arrangement), [regular](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-regular.frequency), [make](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-make.verb), [work](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-work.effort)

**Through:** Data is ordered into a recurring pattern that, when processed by a device, brings about functional behavior through sustained effort-like changes.

**Novel properties:**
- executable structure
- persistent operational pattern
- information-driven functionality

## Examples
- The Linux kernel, first released in 1991, coordinates hardware and software on millions of devices by interpreting binary instructions. *(computing)*
- The Hubble Space Telescope's onboard flight software corrected its mirror's spherical aberration during operations in 1993. *(engineering)*
- In 2000, the ILO estimated that 80% of industrial programmable logic controllers ran proprietary firmware to manage assembly lines. *(economics)*

## Used by
- [browser](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-browser.software) (L18)
- [program](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-program.digital) (L18)
- [server](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-server.digital) (L18)

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*Canonical: https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-software.digital*  
*Structured data: https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-software.digital.json*  
*Every definition provably resolves to space, time, energy and pattern.*