<P> In the 1950s, the programmer, who was also the operator, would write a program and run it . After the program finished executing, the output may have been printed, or it may have been punched onto paper tape or cards for later processing . More often than not the program did not work . The programmer then looked at the console lights and fiddled with the console switches . If less fortunate, a memory printout was made for further study . In the 1960s, programmers reduced the amount of wasted time by automating the operator's job . A program called an operating system was kept in the computer at all times . </P> <P> Originally, operating systems were programmed in assembly; however, modern operating systems are typically written in C . </P> <P> A stored - program computer requires an initial computer program stored in its read - only memory to boot . The boot process is to identify and initialize all aspects of the system, from processor registers to device controllers to memory contents . Following the initialization process, this initial computer program loads the operating system and sets the program counter to begin normal operations . </P> <P> Independent of the host computer, a hardware device might have embedded firmware to control its operation . Firmware is used when the computer program is rarely or never expected to change, or when the program must not be lost when the power is off . </P>

What is another name for program in computer