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Classification of computers software

CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTER SOFTWARE

Computer software is written by programmers using a programming language. The programmer writes a set of instructions (program) using a specific programming language. Such programs are known as the source code. Another computer program called a compiler is then used on the source code, to transform the instructions into a language that the computer can understand. The result is an executable computer program, which is another name for software.

Examples of computer software include the following:


Driver software, which allows a computer to interact with hardware devices such as printers, scanners, and video cards.


Educational software, which includes programs and games that help in teaching and providing drills to help memorize facts. Educational software can be used in diverse areas, from teaching computer-related activities like typing to subjects like chemistry.


Media players and media development software, which are specifically designed to play and/or edit digital media files such as music and videos.


Productivity software, which is an older term used to denote any program that allows the user to be more productive in a business sense. Examples of such software include word processors, database management utilities, and presentation software.


Operating systems software, which helps in coordinating system resources and allows execution of other programs. Some examples of operating systems are Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.


Computer games, which are widely used as a form of entertainment software that has many genres. Computer software can be broadly classified into two groups, namely application software and system software.

Application software is designed for users to solve a particular problem. It is generally what we think of when we refer to a computer program. Examples of application software include spreadsheets, database systems, desktop publishing software, program development software, games, and web browsers. Simply put, application software represents programs that allow users to do something besides merely run the hardware.

On the contrary, system software, provides a general programming environment in which programmers can create specific applications to suit their needs. This environment provides new functions that are not available at the hardware level and performs tasks related to executing the application program. System software represents programs that allow the hardware to run properly. It acts as an interface between the hardware of the computer and the application software that users need to run on the computer.


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