It's an interesting question.
The only code a computer actually performs is binary instructions which are part of the processor's command set. This is the lowest level one can program at.
However, this is not realisic to use so we developed programming languages which abstract us from the underlying non human readable format and allow us to express our intent in a more freindly format. This means either we compile the friendly format down to machine code or we write code which is interpreted by a runtime program.
The in the first example, we are truly writing software which generates real executable code so this is a no brainer. However, in scenario two where we write symbols for the runtime to intepret, this begs the question is this software and the answer is yes because the only difference is that the computer itself is absracted by the runtime and essentially becomes our virtual computer if you like.
So when we consider web development, is this not really just another abstraction in as much as the browser is our abstraction agent and the HTML elements form part of the instruction. I think so personally. Today the word software has become blurred because of the wide variety of ways we get an end result from giving an instruction.
In short anything which can be changed as an instruction is 'Soft' rather than 'hard' and so could be considered software. Where 'hard' means code which cannot be changed such as the machine code interpreter inside a processor chip. And 'soft' means you can edit it and re-run it.
Terry Burns
http://trainingon.net
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Does web development fall under the umbrella of software development?
I recently encountered a group of software developers who worked for a large consulting company. I was at their offices getting trying to get some insight into the world of team software development.
One of the developers started what became one of the most heated discussions i've ever encountered in a work environment. Is web development the same as software development?
Do you believe that web development is software development? Do you believe it's something totally different?
I would love to see what you have to say about this topic.