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Software Terminology
(lemmy.ml)
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this post was submitted on 22 May 2025
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What's the difference between an application and a program?
Historically, an app is something with very limited uses, and a program is more powerful.
Adobe PhotoShop is a program. Apple Photos is an app.
I'd say it gets a little different with command line utilities
maybe "utility" is the appropriate term here, but I'd call something like
grepa program, not an application (again"utility" also works).
To be sure,
grepis extremely powerful, but its scope is limited.The original Macintosh had an Applications folder. App is what I use to cut through tech speak for people at work because the shortcut is less daunting. They have apps on their phone. They must not be scary like Programs and Applications.
I don't think there's a clear definition of either. I'd say if it has no UI, it's a program. And if it has a UI, I don't know if it's a program or an app.