[AdieuToLogic]

What is a software program?

The codification of a solution.

What is a solution?

An answer to a problem.

What is a problem?

The identification and expression of a need to be satisfied.

What is a need?

A uniquely human experience, one which only exists within the minds of people whom experience it.

[zmgsabst]

Do animals not have needs?

[AdieuToLogic]

> Do animals not have needs?

We are animals as well, so a pedantic answer would be "yes." :-)

My actual answer is the origin of the thought process began by Norvig stating:

  But none of them were able to write a program that finds the solution.

So while the concept of "need" is shared across many entities and widely applicable to many conversations, in this context it serves as a root cause answering "why write a program."