Software is a set of instructions, data or programs used to operate computers and execute specific tasks. It is the opposite of hardware, which describes the physical aspects of a computer. Software is a generic term used to refer to applications, scripts and programs that run on a device. It can be thought of as the variable part of a computer, while hardware is the invariable part.
Computer Softwares
The two main categories of software are application software and system software. An application is software that fulfills a specific need or performs tasks. System software is designed to run a computer's hardware and provides a platform for applications to run on top of.
Other types of software include programming software, which provides the programming tools software developers need; middleware, which sits between system software and applications; and driver software, which operates computer devices and peripherals.
Early software was written for specific computers and sold with the hardware it ran on. In the 1980s, software began to be sold on floppy disks, and later on CDs and DVDs. Today, most software is purchased and directly downloaded over the internet. Software can be found on vendor websites or application service provider websites.
All software provides the directions and data computers need to work and meet users' needs. However, the two different types -- application software and system software -- work in distinctly different ways.
Application software consists of many programs that perform specific functions for end users, such as writing reports and navigating websites. Applications can also perform tasks for other applications. Applications on a computer cannot run on their own; they require a computer's OS, along with other supporting system software programs, to work.
These desktop applications are installed on a user's computer and use the computer memory to carry out tasks. They take up space on the computer's hard drive and do not need an internet connection to work. However, desktop applications must adhere to the requirements of the hardware devices they run on.
System software sits between the computer hardware and the application software. Users do not interact directly with system software as it runs in the background, handling the basic functions of the computer. This software coordinates a system's hardware and software so users can run high-level application software to perform specific actions. System software executes when a computer system boots up and continues running as long as the system is on.
The software design process transforms user requirements into a form that computer programmers can use to do the software coding and implementation. The software engineers develop the software design iteratively, adding detail and correcting the design as they develop it.
In general, the more technical software is, the more likely it can be patented. For example, a software product could be granted a patent if it creates a new kind of database structure or enhances the overall performance and function of a computer.
This lesson has provided the definition of computer software and has discussed some of its main features. Software allows users to harness the powerful abilities of today's computers by communicating tasks to the computer processor through computer programs. By instructing the processor on what tasks to execute, software is the bridge between the user and the computer's hardware. Hardware can be distinguished from software as hardware includes all the physical components of computers, while software includes programs written in programming code.
Hardware includes motherboards and processors, and software includes programs like Notepad, Firefox, and other application software that is popular among users. There is also system software that includes programs that are essential to the functioning of a computer, such as operating systems and BIOS. Operating systems provide the low-level link between a computer's hardware and application software, while BIOS is a machine-level software found in motherboards.
Computer software is programming code executed on a computer processor. The code can be machine-level code, or code written for an operating system. An operating system is software intended to provide a predictable and dependable layer for other programmers to build other software on, which are known as applications. Operating systems can be found on all smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers. These systems give the device the functionality it needs. For example, Apple's iOS and Android's OS were developed specifically for portable devices.
Computer software provides a dependable layer for hardware manufacturers. This standardization creates an efficient environment for programmers to create smaller programs, which can be run by millions of computers.
Software can also be thought of as an expression that contrasts with hardware. The physical components of a computer are the hardware; the digital programs running on the hardware are the software. Software can also be updated or replaced much easier than hardware. Additionally, software can be distributed to a number of hardware receivers. Basically, software is the computer logic computer users interact with.
What is computer software? Computer software refers to programming code that is executed on the computer hardware that facilitates the completion of tasks by a computer. What is a computer program? A computer program is a specific sequence of instructions written in programming code that is carried out by a computer processor to complete a specific task. Thus, a computer program is a piece of software designed for a certain use or task.
Computer software examples include operating systems, which allow for easy use of a computer's processing power, as well as applications like Notepad and Firefox. Software can be physically stored on the hard drive or at another location such as a USB drive, or it can be cloud-based and hosted over the internet.
Since personal computers have become ubiquitous in many countries, computer software can be found across the globe. In fact, because of the widespread use of computers in both personal and business contexts, as well as the integral role that the internet plays in the global economy, it is difficult to imagine how today's world would function without computer software. A list of some of the most well-known computer software examples includes:
There are many examples of specific computer software that play a role in personal and professional computer systems. Computer software can generally be divided into two categories: system software and application software. System software includes technical programs that communicate with the computer's hardware, including its processor, and provides a framework for application software. Application software includes the programs that do not relate to the basic functioning of the computer, but allow you to do tasks, such as internet browsers or word processors.
System software is a category that includes many kinds of software, all of which directly relate to the functioning of the computer itself. System software includes highly technical programs that allow users to make use of the computer's capabilities. This type of software interacts with the computer's hardware, such as its processor and motherboard, and provides a framework for users to be able to use other applications on their computers. System software could thus be thought of as a bridge between a computer's hardware and the applications that people use. Included among other system software are programs that help the computer to operate at its maximum efficiency. Some examples of system software include:
These and many other applications are installed on operating systems or hosted online and can be uninstalled at the whim of the user. Users have much more choice with the specific application software they wish to use, as this software can be uninstalled and reinstalled easily. This is in contrast to system software, which most users do not alter because this type of software is integral to the functioning of computers.
Along with software, hardware is also a key part of computers. Unlike software, which is made up of computer programs, hardware includes the physical parts of a computer. This means that every part of a computer that can be touched is technically hardware. Some of the most important examples of hardware include:
Hardware thus consists of the most basic physical parts of a computer, and software programs hardware and allows it to be operational. System software communicates with and coordinates hardware so that the basic functions of computers are usable, while application software helps users perform specific tasks on their computers.
The history of computer software can be traced back to the earliest computers. Computers began to emerge in the 1940s and 1950s. Before that, the only computers were located in the human brain. The earliest computer software was designed to tell with the computer hardware through binary code the task that the computer should perform. The first tasks performed by software were large calculations. Eventually, programming languages were invented which allowed for more consistent and complex instructions to be delivered to computers. This led to the creation of the increasingly complex software of today, seen in examples such as server cluster management programs that can coordinate many computers simultaneously. 2ff7e9595c
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