What is a collection of computer programs designed to accomplish specific tasks called?

A collection of computer programs designed to accomplish specific tasks is referred to as software. Software encompasses a wide range of applications, from productivity tools to games, that facilitate specific functions on a computer or device. It is essential for users to interact with hardware and perform various operations such as data processing, managing files, and running applications.

The term "operating system" specifically refers to the software that manages computer hardware and software resources and provides common services for computer programs, but it is just one type of software. "Hardware" describes the physical components of a computer system, such as the CPU, memory, and storage devices, but it does not encompass the programs or instructions that the hardware executes. "Firmware" refers to a type of software that is tightly integrated with hardware and provides low-level control, essentially functioning as the intermediary between hardware and higher-level software. While firmware is a type of software, the broader term that captures all types of programs designed for specific tasks is simply software.