Can I apply for a patent for computer applications?

A computer program is a set of instructions that instruct a computer to "work" step by step to complete a specific task. These instructions include coded instructions and a set of symbolic instructions or statements that can be automatically converted into coded instructions. Computer programs are also called computer software. Generally divided into system programs and application programs. The combination of system program and hardware controls all parts of the computer and is the "central nervous system" of calculation. It is inseparable from the computer hardware itself. Application programs are compiled to complete a specific task through human intellectual activities and mathematical methods. The characteristics of computer programs themselves determine various forms of legal protection of computer programs, such as copyright law, trademark law, contract law, trade secret law and so on. Due to the complexity of legal protection of computer programs, computer programs can make up for the lack of copyright protection. However, the patent law stipulates that the rules and methods of intellectual activities cannot be granted. Computer applications are usually associated with mathematical algorithms, but they are not simple mathematical methods and algorithms, but are included in a complete technical scheme. Some mathematical methods or algorithms are used to solve some technical problems in the technical scheme and produce technical effects. That is to say, inventions with computer programs can only be granted patent protection under two necessary conditions: first, they must be able to produce technical effects; Second, it must be able to form a complete technical solution. In short, China's patent law does not explicitly stipulate that computer applications cannot be protected by patents.