Computer Software

What is a Software

Set of instructions that tells computer's physical parts (hardware) to what to do and how to do it.  Term Software is used to describe computer programs that run on Computers, smart phones, tablets, or other smart devices. Without software computer is useless. Software can be divided in to main two (2) parts and few sub parts too.

    1. System software

                Operating system
                Utility programs
                        - Disk defragmentation
                        - Disk cleanup
                        - Firewall
                Language translators
                        - Assembler
                        - Compiler
                        - Interpreter

    2. Application software
                General-purpose applications
                        - Word processor
                        - Spreadsheet
                        - Presentation graphic software
                        - CAD (Computer Aided Design) programs
                Special-purpose applications
                        - Web browser
                        - Account management
                Bespoke applications
                        - Air traffic control

System software

System software are designed to run a computer's hardware and other computer applications. System software act as a layer / interface between hardware and applications. The best example for the system software is Operating System which mange all other programs inside the computer.

Operating system

The operating system becomes the most important software in a computer. Computer is useless if there is not an operating system installed. Operating system coordinates or manages computer's memory, process as well as its hardware and other software. We can communicate with the computer through the operating system even we don't know the computer's language. Popular operating system include: Windows, Linux, Mac OS, Android, Chrome OS, Ubuntu, Fedora, BlackBerry OS.

Utility programs

Utility programs are designed to help users to analyze, optimize, and maintain a computer. These software usually come as a built0in part of operating system. These programs can be accessed through the settings, control panel, or control center of the operating system.

Utility programs may carry out following tasks.

• Disk cleanup
• Task scheduling
• Backing up and restoring data
• Disk defragmentation

Language translators

Computers can only understand binary code (0/1 or on/off). This is known as machines language. This machine language is extremely difficult to write and understand to the human. So programmers / developers use high-level human readable instructions to develop programs. Then the language translators are used to convert high-level instructions to machine language (machine level instructions - 0 and 1). 

Three different language translators are;

• Assembler
• Compiler
• Interpreter

Application software

You may have already heard about Apps. Apps of Applications are the kind of programs that are designed to allow users to perform some specific task. Applications designed for mobile devices are called mobile apps and application designed to work on laptop or desktop called as desktop applications.

If you run a application, it will be running inside the operating system until you close it. Most of the time you are allow to run multiple applications similarly at the same time within the operating system. This is called as Multi-Tasking.

Many applications are available on the web and most of these applications can be downloaded inexpensively or even free.

General-purpose applications

Software applications that are designed to solve user's general or common day to day task using a computer are known as general purpose applications. Some common examples are, Word processors, Spreadsheet packages, Graphic software, Presentation graphic software.

Special-purpose applications

Type of software that are designed to perform a one specific task known as Special purpose applications. As an example, a calculator application on your computer will only perform arithmetical calculations. As well as the camera application on your phone can only use to capture photographs and share pictures.

Bespoke applications

Also called custom software or tailored software. This is a type of software that developed for some specific user or for a business. It is designed to fit specific need of particular user or the business. Some example include;

• Business Process Automation System
• Automated Invoicing
• Company-Facing / Customer-Facing Web Portals
• Ecommerce software solutions