What best describes software?

Software is best described as a collection of instructions for the computer. It consists of programs and applications that instruct the hardware on how to perform specific tasks. This can include anything from operating systems, which manage the computer's hardware resources, to applications that allow users to perform tasks such as word processing, graphic design, or web browsing.

The other choices highlight different aspects of computing. The first option refers to hardware, which includes tangible components like the computer's processor and memory. The second option relates to storage devices, which are used to retain data rather than execute instructions. The fourth option discusses network protocols, which are standards that govern how data is transmitted over networks, not the instructions or programs that run on computers. Each of these options represents different facets of computing but does not encapsulate the essence of software, making the correct choice about software's role as a set of instructions for the computer.