What is Software

What is Software

Software = Programs

Software gives "intelligence" to the computer. Software, simply are the computer programs. The instructions given to the computer in the form of a program is called Software. Software is the set of programs, which are used for different purposes. All the programs used in computer to perform specific task is called Software.

Types of Software

Computer Software is basically categorized into three types:

1. System Software
2. Application Software
3. Programming Language & Scripting

 System software:

The software that control and direct the operation of the computer hardware is called system software. System software is the collection of the programs written for computer, which allows the user to develop and run programs. The system software starts up the computer, makes it ready and allows the user to work on different program.

The system software consists of Operating System and Utility software.

Operating System Software: 

An operating system is a set of programs that controls and supervises a computer system and provides services to computer users. Operating system software controls overall activities of the Computer. It acts as an interface between a user, program and the hardware. DOS, UNIX, XENIX, Windows are the examples of Operating System.

Utility Software: 

The software, which helps the users to manage files & folders, checking viruses, keeping PC healthy and system settings is called Utility Software. These are also the software tools which help to users while preparing programs. PC TOOLS, Scandisk, Disk Defragmenter, Norton Antivirus, Language Processors (Assembler, Compiler...) are the examples of Utility Software.

Language Processors : 

The programs that translate the program written in high level and low level language to machine codes are called language processors.

Assembler : It translates the programs written in low level language (assembly) to machine code

Compilers : It translates the programs written in high level language to machine codes. The compiler translates the whole program at a time that makes the execution faster.

Interpreter : It also translates the program written in high level language to machine codes. Unlike compiler, it translates a single statement of a program at a time. Due to this it is easier to locate errors and debugging becomes easier.

Application software:

The software used for special purpose (specific task) written in a specific language is known as Application Software. It also may be defined as software that acts as interface between the user and the system software to allow the user to perform specific tasks. These programs perform certain task with respect to related program. Basically, there are two types of Application Software:

Package Software :  This software is the set of the pre-written programs by another person or group and made available to computer users. Many kinds of related works can be performed by using any required software. Ms. Word, Ms. Excel, Ms. Access, Adobe PageMaker, Auto Cad are the examples of Package Software.

Tailored or Custom Software  : The tailored software are used to perform the specific tasks only like Accounting, Super Market Billing, Mark sheet Preparation, Inventory Control etc. They are developed on demand of the clients. GMACC, Point of Sale, MEDI-PRO, TALLY etc. are the examples of Tailored Software.