People seem to use the words 'application' and 'program' interchangeably. What's the difference? Many thanks,
Besides the difference in parlance, as above, technically, program does describe a broader class of entities that contain executable code, including various programs that make up system processes, daemons, etc, that would rarely be called "applications," whereas the term "application" is almost always reserved for a program that interacts directly with the user in some way -- is run by the user, receives directions / commands from the user, has an interface, etc.
Well technically you are right, but I thought the OP was probably asking in the context of how the terms are used by Apple and Microsoft.
On Windows I've always called programs/applications 'programs' (mainly due to the 'All Programs' menu on the Start menu). But in a lot of Microsoft's promotional copy they talk about 'applications' and 'apps', which led me to think there was a fundamental difference.
Many thanks for all your feedback - I now feel more enlightened!