Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Programvaren er viktig for sikkerheten.

In Norwegian Bokmål, the definite singular of a common-gender noun is marked with -en. So programvare (“software”) becomes programvaren, meaning “the software.” Since it’s already definite, you don’t use a separate article (en, ei, et) before it.

Why isn’t there an indefinite article before programvaren?

Because programvaren is in a definite form (it ends with -en). If you want to talk about software in general, you either drop the suffix and say programvare (no article) or, in a countable sense, you’d choose a different noun like et program (“a program”) or en programvarepakke (“a software package”). As a mass noun, programvare normally stands without en.

Why doesn’t the adjective viktig change form after the verb er?

Adjectives in predicate position (after a linking verb like er) stay in their base form in Norwegian. You say programvaren er viktig, not viktige or viktigere. Only attributive adjectives (before a noun) take endings:
• en viktig fil
• et viktig dokument
• viktige oppdateringer

What role does for play in for sikkerheten?

Here, for expresses purpose or benefit: the software is important for (the sake of) security. You’re saying that security depends on or benefits from the software. Til wouldn’t work here, because it usually indicates direction or destination, not purpose/advantage.

Why is sikkerheten also in definite form with -en?

Like programvare, sikkerhet is a common-gender noun. Adding -en makes it definite: sikkerhet → sikkerheten (“the security”). In for sikkerheten, we refer to a specific concept of security (e.g. the system’s security), so it’s definite.

How would you ask “How important is the software for security?” in Norwegian?

Use the question word hvor (“how”) and invert verb and subject:
Hvor viktig er programvaren for sikkerheten?

Can I make a more general statement without the definites?

Yes. For a general claim, drop the -en suffixes:
Programvare er viktig for sikkerhet.
This means “Software is important for security” in general.

What is the gender of programvare, and how can I tell?

Programvare is a common-gender noun in Bokmål. Common-gender nouns normally take en as the indefinite article (e.g. en bok, en bil). Although programvare is uncountable (so you rarely see en programvare), you know its gender because it forms the definite with -en just like other common-gender nouns.

Are there synonyms for viktig I could use here?

Yes. Depending on nuance, you might use:
• vesentlig (“essential”)
• avgjørende (“crucial”)
• nødvendig (“necessary”)

For example:
Programvaren er avgjørende for sikkerheten.