How would the pictures that are used by the programs work?

Question: How would the pictures that are used by the programs work?
- Keywords:
  information,
  technology,
  work
Asked by knighto to Willem on 7 Mar 2014.
- Willem Heijltjes answered on 7 Mar 2014:
  
  The computer would read the pictures, and move bits around (as you can see on my profile). The pictures are real computer programs, and they can be HUGE. Pictures can use numbers (to do arithmetic) and words (to show on the screen) as well.

Question: How would the pictures that are used by the programs work?