Can you explain the difference between a process and a program in computing?

During my final year in college, I worked on a project to develop a simple mobile app. The app itself was a program consisting of various functions like user login, data storage, and display features. However, when I ran the app on my smartphone, it became a process. I learned that while the code (the program) was static, the moment it started running and interacting with the device's memory and CPU, it transformed into a dynamic process. This experience helped me understand the practical implications of the difference between programs and processes.

During my internship at a local startup, I was part of a team that built a website. The code we wrote was the program, consisting of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files. However, when we deployed the website, it became a series of processes on the server. I remember troubleshooting when the server became unresponsive, which made me realize that understanding the difference between a program and a process was crucial for identifying where issues could arise. This hands-on experience solidified my comprehension of the concepts.

In my first job as a software tester, I frequently dealt with applications that had already been developed. I learned to distinguish between the static code (the program) and the actual behavior of the application during testing (the process). For instance, while testing a new feature, I would observe how the program executed in real time, which was essential for identifying bugs. This experience reinforced my understanding that the same set of code could behave differently based on various factors, such as system resources and user interactions.