Difference between Program and Product

Last Updated : 03 Jul, 2024

A program is a set of instructions written by a programmer to perform a specific task on a computer. In contrast, a product is a complete software solution developed through a series of stages, known as the software development life cycle, to address a specific problem or need for an enterprise. Programs are simpler and reside passively in memory, while products are complex, actively produced, and distributed to users. Understanding these differences helps clarify their distinct roles and development processes in the tech industry.

What is Program?

The use and need of computers is widespread in today's world. The computer system is however incapable of working on its own and needs certain instructions to do anything. These instructions are provided to the computer system by a computer programmer. A collection of instructions meant to perform a specific task, written by a computer programmer is called a program.

What is Product?

Product is made only on the request of an enterprise. The team of developers undertakes the making of the product (called project). A software product is the finished project which was made after performing the various software development life cycle stages. After the completion of these stages the product comes into existence. It is then made in more numbers, for distribution. The software product is made to solve a specific problem.

Difference between Program and Product

Aspect	Program	Product
Nature and Purpose	Program contains a set of instructions designed to complete a specific task.	Product is the final manufacture and production of the project.
Entity Type	It is a passive entity as it resides in the secondary memory.	It is an active entity as it is made again and again for the purpose of distribution to users.
Existence	It exists at a single place and continues to exist until it is deleted.	A product can exist for a long period of time as long as it is tested for better performance and durability. A specific software product would stop existing if it is destroyed or uninstalled.
Development Time	It can be made in relatively shorter period of time.	It needs a lot of time to be made. There are several stages (design, coding, testing, maintenance etc.) to form a product.
Management	It is handled by the program managers.	It is handled by product managers.
Resource Requirements	It does not have any resource requirement, it only requires memory space for storing the instructions.	It needs human, technology and time resources to be functional.
Focus	The main focus of the program is whether it is giving a specific desired output or not.	The main focus of a product is its capability to solve the problem that it was made for.
Guidelines	There are no concrete guidelines in writing a program.	In case of product, the firm guidelines are followed.
Efficiency and Cost	It may or may not focus on efficiency and cost.	It needs to worry about the cost and efficiency as it would affect the profitability of the enterprise launching the product.