Computer software, or just software, is the collection of computer programs and related data that provide the instructions telling a computer what to do. The term was coined to contrast to the old term hardware (meaning physical devices). In contrast to hardware, software is intangible, meaning it "cannot be touched". Software is also sometimes used in a more narrow sense, meaning application software only. Sometimes the term includes data that has not traditionally been associated with computers, such as film, tapes and records.
Types of software
Practical computer systems divide software systems into three major classes[citation needed]: system software, programming software and application software, although the distinction is arbitrary, and often blurred.
1. System software
System software helps run the computer hardware and computer system. It includes a combination of the following:
device drivers
operating systems
servers
utilities
window systems
The purpose of systems software is to unburden the applications programmer from the often complex details of the particular computer being used, including such accessories as communications devices, printers, device readers, displays and keyboards, and also to partition the computer's resources such as memory and processor time in a safe and stable manner. Examples are - Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X.
2. Programming software
Programming software usually provides tools to assist a programmer in writing computer programs, and software using different programming languages in a more convenient way. The tools include:
compilers,
debuggers,
interpreters,
linkers,
text editors
An Integrated development environment (IDE) is a single application that attempts to manage all these functions.
3. Application software
Application software allows end users to accomplish one or more specific (not directly computer development related) tasks. Typical applications include:
industrial automation
business software
video games
quantum chemistry and solid state physics software
telecommunications (i.e., the Internet and everything that flows on it)
databases
educational software
medical software
molecular modeling software
image editing
spreadsheet
simulation software
Word processing
Decision making software
What's your take on software? do you think the world would be where it is today without it?
From my perspective i think software is important because all the organizations in the world use computers and without technology we wouldn't have successful businesses and so on
ReplyDeleteWell...I think software wuldnt b where it is without Hardware so i think its just part of the big picture.
ReplyDeletewithout hardware, software would be useless and the other way around, come to think of it we wouldn't even be having cellphones, damn!
ReplyDelete