What do we call the instructions that tell a computer how to perform tasks?

The correct answer is software, which refers to the set of instructions, programs, or applications that tell a computer how to perform specific tasks. Software can range from operating systems that control the hardware of the computer to applications that perform a variety of functions for the user, such as word processing or web browsing. Essentially, software provides the necessary commands and logic for the computer to execute various operations, making it an essential component of computer functionality.

While the other terms have their own specific meanings in the context of computing, they do not encapsulate the broad concept of instructions for task execution. Metadata relates to data that describes other data, protocols refer to the rules governing data communication, and utilities are specific types of software designed to perform maintenance tasks on a computer. Therefore, software is the most appropriate term that covers the whole spectrum of instructions used by computers.