logiciel

Logiciel is the French term for software. In computing, logiciel refers to the programs and data that enable a computer or device to perform tasks, in contrast with the physical hardware. The word is a calque from the English “software” and is widely used in French-language documentation, education, and industry.

Software is commonly categorized into system software, application software, and development tools. System software includes operating systems and utility programs that manage hardware; application software comprises programs that perform user tasks such as word processing, web browsing, and data management; development tools aid programmers in creating software. In practice, many products combine elements from these categories, and embedded software runs on various devices beyond personal computers.

Software undergoes a lifecycle that includes requirements gathering, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance. It is distributed under various licensing models, including proprietary licenses, free software, and open source licenses. In French usage, “logiciel libre” denotes software whose source code is available and can be modified, while “logiciel propriétaire” denotes software distributed with restrictions on use or modification; “logiciels open source” is also used to describe open source software.

The software industry has transformed economies and daily life, enabling cloud services, mobile apps, and embedded systems. Challenges such as security, reliability, and interoperability drive ongoing research in software engineering and standardization. The term logiciel remains central to French-language discussions of computing, policy, and education.