Modern scientific research isn't possible without software. However, its vital role is often overlooked by funders, universities, assessment committees, and even the research community itself. This is a serious issue that needs urgent attention. This article raises a number of points concerning quality, code review, and openness; development practices and training in scientific computing; career recognition of research software engineers; and sustainability models for funding scientific software. We must get software recognized to be the first-class experimental scientific instrument that it is and get "better software for better research."