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    What Is Software - Definition, Types, Examples, and More

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    Types of Software and definition

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    5 views8 pages

    What Is Software - Definition, Types, Examples, and More

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    Akash Jain
    Types of Software and definition

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Software and its Types


    Last Updated : 29 Aug, 2023

    Software is a collection of instructions, data, or computer programs that


    are used to run machines and carry out particular activities. It is the
    antithesis of hardware, which refers to a computer’s external components.
    A device’s running programs, scripts, and applications are collectively
    referred to as “software” in this context.

    What is a Software?
    In a computer system, the software is basically a set of instructions or
    commands that tell a computer what to do. In other words, the software is
    a computer program that provides a set of instructions to execute a user’s
    commands and tell the computer what to do. For example like MS-Word,
    MS-Excel, PowerPoint, etc.

    Types of Software
    It is a collection of data that is given to the computer to complete a
    particular task. The chart below describes the types of software:
    Above is the diagram of types of software. Now we will briefly describe
    each type and its subtypes:

    1. System Software
    Operating System
    Language Processor
    Device Driver

    2. Application Software
    General Purpose Software
    Customize Software
    Utility Software

    System Software
    System software is software that directly operates the computer
    hardware and provides the basic functionality to the users as well as to
    the other software to operate smoothly. Or in other words, system
    software basically controls a computer’s internal functioning and also
    controls hardware devices such as monitors, printers, and storage
    devices, etc. It is like an interface between hardware and user
    applications, it helps them to communicate with each other because
    hardware understands machine language(i.e. 1 or 0) whereas user
    applications are work in human-readable languages like English, Hindi,
    German, etc. so system software converts the human-readable language
    into machine language and vice versa.

    Types of System Software

    It has two subtypes which are:

    1. Operating System: It is the main program of a computer system. When


    the computer system ON it is the first software that loads into the
    computer’s memory. Basically, it manages all the resources such as
    computer memory, CPU, printer, hard disk, etc., and provides an
    interface to the user, which helps the user to interact with the computer
    system. It also provides various services to other computer software.
    Examples of operating systems are Linux, Apple macOS, Microsoft
    Windows, etc.
    2. Language Processor: As we know that system software converts the
    human-readable language into a machine language and vice versa. So,
    the conversion is done by the language processor. It converts
    programs written in high-level programming languages like Java, C,
    C++, Python, etc(known as source code), into sets of instructions that
    are easily readable by machines(known as object code or machine
    code).
    3. Device Driver: A device driver is a program or software that controls a
    device and helps that device to perform its functions. Every device like
    a printer, mouse, modem, etc. needs a driver to connect with the
    computer system eternally. So, when you connect a new device with
    your computer system, first you need to install the driver of that device
    so that your operating system knows how to control or manage that
    device.

    Features of System Software

    Let us discuss some of the features of System Software:

    System Software is closer to the computer system.


    System Software is written in a low-level language in general.
    System software is difficult to design and understand.
    System software is fast in speed(working speed).
    System software is less interactive for the users in comparison to
    application software.

    Application Software
    Software that performs special functions or provides functions that are
    much more than the basic operation of the computer is known as
    application software. Or in other words, application software is designed
    to perform a specific task for end-users. It is a product or a program that
    is designed only to fulfill end-users’ requirements. It includes word
    processors, spreadsheets, database management, inventory, payroll
    programs, etc.

    Types of Application Software

    There are different types of application software and those are:

    1. General Purpose Software: This type of application software is used


    for a variety of tasks and it is not limited to performing a specific task
    only. For example, MS-Word, MS-Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
    2. Customized Software: This type of application software is used or
    designed to perform specific tasks or functions or designed for
    specific organizations. For example, railway reservation system, airline
    reservation system, invoice management system, etc.
    3. Utility Software: This type of application software is used to support
    the computer infrastructure. It is designed to analyze, configure,
    optimize and maintains the system, and take care of its requirements
    as well. For example, antivirus, disk fragmenter, memory tester, disk
    repair, disk cleaners, registry cleaners, disk space analyzer, etc.

    Features of Application Software


    Let us discuss some of the features of Application Software:

    An important feature of application software is it performs more


    specialized tasks like word processing, spreadsheets, email, etc.
    Mostly, the size of the software is big, so it requires more storage
    space.
    Application software is more interactive for the users, so it is easy to
    use and design.
    The application software is easy to design and understand.
    Application software is written in a high-level language in general.

    Difference Between System Software and Application


    Software
    Now, let us discuss some difference between system software and
    application software:

    System Software Application Software

    It is designed to manage the


    It is designed to fulfill the
    resources of the computer system, like
    requirements of the user for
    memory and process management,
    performing specific tasks.
    etc.

    Written in a low-level language. Written in a high-level language.

    Less interactive for the users. More interactive for the users.

    Application software is not so


    System software plays vital role for
    important for the functioning of
    the effective functioning of a system.
    the system, as it is task specific.

    It is independent of the application


    It needs system software to run.
    software to run.
    For more Information you can refer to this article on – Difference between
    System Software and Application Software.

    Software and Its Type – FAQs

    1. What is difference between a software and a program?

    There is a main difference between software and a program. Both are


    for enabling the computer to perform specific task. The software is
    the collection of programs. we have create a program to perform the
    task and they compiled if there is no error in program then program
    sent to create a software. Program is the set of instructions that are
    written by programmer in a language while the software is a collection
    of program that will enable the system to perform the specific task.

    2. What is an example of Software?

    You need software in order for the computer to operate effectively. It


    is a collection of data that is given to the computer to complete a
    particular task. three main categories of software are application
    software, programming software, and system software. All these three
    are important for the particular task to be performed.

    Below are some software examples.

    Management Tools
    Compression Tools
    Internet Explorer
    ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)
    BI (Business Intelligence)
    Customer Support Systems

    3. Which software is used to control the operations of a computer?

    There are two types of software system software and application


    software. System Software is used to control the operations and also
    controls a computer’s internal functioning and hardware devices.

    4. Which software is designed to solve a specific problem or to do a


    specific task

    Application Software is designed to solve a specific problem or to do


    a specific task Because a software that performs special functions or
    provides function which are much more than basic operation of the
    computer are application software.

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