define software

8/12/2019 Define Software

1/4

Define Software

Software is a general term for the various kinds ofprogramsused to operatecomputersand related

devices. (The termhardware describes the physical aspects of computers and related devices.)

Software can be thought of as the variable part of a computer and hardware the invariable part.

Software is often divided intoapplication software (programs that do work users are directly interested

in) andsystem software (which includesoperating systemsand any program that supports application

software). The termmiddleware is sometimes used to describe programming that mediates between

application and system software or between two different kinds of application software (for example,

sending a remote work request from an application in a computer that has one kind of operating system

to an application in a computer with a different operating system).

Define Software Engineering

Thecomputer science discipline concerned with developing largeapplications.Software engineeringcovers not only the technical aspects of building software systems, but also management issues, such as

directing programming teams, scheduling, and budgeting.

(software engineer) programmer: a person who designs and writes and tests computer programs.

Computer Software

Computer software is defined as a set of programs and procedures that are intended to perform specific

tasks on a computer system. A software program is a set of instructions that are aimed at changing the

state of computer hardware. At the lowest level, software is in the form of an assembly language, a set

of instructions in a machine-understandable form. At the highest level, software is in the form of high-

level languages, which are compiled or interpreted into machine language code.

Major Types of Software

Computer software systems are classified into three main types, namely, system software, programming

software and application software. System software comprises device drivers, operating systems,

servers and other such software components, which help the programmer abstract away from the

memory and hardware features of the system. Programming software assists the programmer in writing

programs by providing him/her with tools such as editors, compilers, linkers, debuggers and more.

Application software, one of the most important types of software, is used to achieve certain specific

tasks.

What is Application Software?

Application software utilizes the capacities of a computer directly for a dedicated task. Application

software is able to manipulate text, numbers and graphics. It can be in the form of software focused on

a certain single task like word processing, spreadsheet or playing of audio and video files. Here we look

at the application software types along with some examples of application software of each type.
http://searchsoftwarequality.techtarget.com/definition/programhttp://searchwinit.techtarget.com/definition/computerhttp://searchcio-midmarket.techtarget.com/definition/hardwarehttp://searchsoftwarequality.techtarget.com/definition/applicationhttp://searchwinit.techtarget.com/definition/systemhttp://searchcio-midmarket.techtarget.com/definition/operating-systemhttp://searchsoa.techtarget.com/definition/middlewarehttp://www.webopedia.com/TERM/C/computer_science.htmlhttp://www.webopedia.com/TERM/A/application.htmlhttp://www.webopedia.com/TERM/A/application.htmlhttp://www.webopedia.com/TERM/C/computer_science.htmlhttp://searchsoa.techtarget.com/definition/middlewarehttp://searchcio-midmarket.techtarget.com/definition/operating-systemhttp://searchwinit.techtarget.com/definition/systemhttp://searchsoftwarequality.techtarget.com/definition/applicationhttp://searchcio-midmarket.techtarget.com/definition/hardwarehttp://searchwinit.techtarget.com/definition/computerhttp://searchsoftwarequality.techtarget.com/definition/program


2/4

Different Types of Application Software

Word Processing Software: This software enables users to create and edit documents. The most popular

examples of this type of software are MS-Word, WordPad and Notepad among other text editors.

Database Software: Database is a structured collection of data. A computer database relies on database

software to organize data and enable database users to perform database operations. Database

software allows users to store and retrieve data from databases. Examples are Oracle, MSAccess, etc.

Spreadsheet Software: Excel, Lotus 1-2-3 and Apple Numbers are some examples of spreadsheet

software. Spreadsheet software allows users to perform calculations using spreadsheets. They simulate

paper worksheets by displaying multiple cells that make up a grid.

Multimedia Software: They allow users to create and play audio and video files. They are capable of

playing media files. Audio converters, audio players, burners, video encoders and decoders are some

forms of multimedia software. Examples of this type of software include Real Player and Media Player.

Presentation Software: The software that is used to display information in the form of a slide show is

known as presentation software. This type of software includes three functions, namely, editing that

allows insertion and formatting of text, methods to include graphics in the text and a functionality of

executing slide shows. Microsoft PowerPoint is the best example of presentation software.

Enterprise Software: It deals with the needs of organization processes and data flow. Customer

relationship management or the financial processes in an organization are carried out with the help of

enterprise software.

Information Worker Software: Individual projects within a department and individual needs of creation

and management of information are handled by information worker software. Documentation tools,

resource management tools and personal management systems fall under the category of this type of

application software.

Educational Software: It has the capabilities of running tests and tracking progress. It also has the

capabilities of a collaborative software. It is often used in teaching and self-learning. Dictionaries like

Britannica and Encarta, mathematical software like Matlab and others like Google Earth and NASA

World Wind are some of the well-known names in this category.

Simulation Software: Used to simulate physical or abstract systems, simulation software finds

applications in both, research and entertainment. Flight simulators and scientific simulators are

examples of simulation software.

Content Access Software: It is used to access content without editing. Common examples of content

access software are web browsers and media players.


3/4

Application Suites: An application suite is an important type of application software. It consists of a

group of applications combined to perform related functions. OpenOffice.org and Microsoft Office are

the best examples of this type of application software. These application suites, as you know, come as

bundles of applications like word processors, spreadsheets, presentation software, etc. Applications in

the suite can work together or operate on each other's files.

Software that aid Engineering and Development of Products: This software is used in the design and

development of hardware and software products. Integrated development environments (IDE) and

computer language editing tools falls under this type of application software. Interestingly, software

products are developed using other software, and software communicate with one another through

software. Application programming interfaces which aid the communication of two or more software,

are examples of this application software type.

Examples

Application Suite

Microsoft Office, iWork, Open Office, etc. are examples of application suite, as they come bundled with

a number of applications like word processor, spreadsheet, etc.

Enterprise Resource Software

There are different kinds of software, that come under the category of enterprise resource software.

The examples of these software are customer relationship management software, financial software,

medical billing software, departmental software, time management software, IT Helpdesk software,

church management software, manufacturing software, etc.

Content Access Software

Most of us have certainly used these kinds of software. You may not agree now, but when I tell you the

names of the software under this category, you will certainly agree. As a matter of fact, you are

currently using one of it. It is the Web Browser. The other examples are media players, help browsers,

etc.

Educational Software

The most commonly used educational software are the learning management software, training

software, reference software (like encyclopedia, etc.), language learning software. Classroom

management software are made with the tutor in mind.

Collaborative Software

The examples of collaborative software are the emails, blogs, Wikipedia, etc.

Enterprise Infrastructure Software


4/4

The different database management software, document management software, workflow

management software, digital asset management software, project management software, property

management software, etc. are all included in the enterprise infrastructure software.

Media Development Software

Animation software, desktop publishing software, HTML editing software, etc., are some of the media

development software.

define software

Documents