计算机进程（Computer Program）是指一组指示计算机或其他具有消息处理能力装置每一步动作的指令，通常用某种进程设计语言编写，运行于某种目标体系结构上。打个比方，一个进程就像一个用汉语（进程设计语言）写下的红烧肉菜谱（进程），用于指导懂汉语（编译器）同时也会烹饪手法的人（体系结构）来做这道菜。 通常，以英文文本为基础的计算机进程要经过编译和链接而成为一种人们不易看清而计算机可解读的一连串数字的格式，然后放入运行。未经编译就可运行的进程，通常称之为脚本进程（script）。

A computer program is a collection of instructions that performs a specific task when executed by a computer. A computer requires programs to function, and typically executes the program's instructions in a central processing unit.

A computer program is usually written by a computer programmer in a programming language. From the program in its human-readable form of source code, a compiler can derive machine code—a form consisting of instructions that the computer can directly execute. Alternatively, a computer program may be executed with the aid of an interpreter.