AgComm Teaching, The responsibility for a successful computer system belongs to the management, and managers need enough knowledge to choose the best system. Long-range perspective is important so the computer can expand with the operation. Important words are explained in the categories of software, hardware, and methods of getting computer power. Software is the series of instructions telling a computer what to do. An individual set of instructions is called a program. There are systems software and applications software. Applications software can be custom software, packaged, or modified. The hardware is the machinery that runs the software. The central processing unit (CPU) is the brains of the computer. Results of computer programs are stored on plastic disks. Permanent copies can be made by using a printer. A farmer can get computer power with an outside service or an in-house service.