What is a computer program designed to accomplish a specific task called?

The term for a computer program that is designed to accomplish a specific task is known as software. Software encompasses a wide range of applications and programs that perform particular functions, whether for productivity, data management, design, or entertainment, among other purposes. In contrast, hardware refers to the physical components of a computer system, such as the CPU, memory, and storage devices, which are essential for the operation of software but do not execute tasks themselves. Firmware is a specific type of software that provides low-level control for a device's specific hardware. It is often embedded directly into hardware devices. While applications are a subset of software aimed at end-users to perform specific tasks, the broader category that encompasses all such programs is software itself, making it the most accurate choice.