Computer software is a set of instructions that tell a computer what to do. It consists of programs, data, and other related documents that are used to operate a computer system.
Software can be categorized into two major types: system software and application software. In this article, we will discuss what computer software means and the different types of software.
What is Computer Software?
Computer software is a collection of programs, data, and other related documents that tell a computer how to operate. It is the non-tangible part of the computer system that cannot be touched or seen physically. While hardware refers to all physical components of a computer such as the keyboard, monitor, CPU (Central Processing Unit), hard disk drive, etc., software refers to all non-tangible components.
Types of Computer Software
There are two main types of computer software: System Software and Application Software.
System Software
System software is responsible for managing and controlling the hardware components of a computer system. It acts as an interface between the user and the hardware components. System software includes Operating System (OS), Device Drivers, Firmware, Utility Programs, etc.
Operating System (OS): The Operating System is an essential component of any computer system. It manages all other programs and applications running on your computer. It provides users with an interface to interact with their computers.
Device Drivers: Device drivers are small programs that allow your system to communicate with hardware devices like printers, scanners or webcams.
Firmware: Firmware is low-level code that controls how hardware interacts with an operating system.
Utility Programs: Utility programs are used for performing tasks like disk maintenance, file compression/decompression or virus scans.
Application Software
Application software refers to programs designed for specific purposes such as word processing, spreadsheets, graphics, etc. Application software is used by end-users to perform specific tasks.
Word Processing Software: Word processing software is used for creating and editing text documents. Examples of word processing software include Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and OpenOffice.
Spreadsheet Software: Spreadsheet software is used for creating and managing data in a tabular form like financial data. Examples of spreadsheet software include Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, and OpenOffice Calc.
Graphics Software: Graphics software is used for creating and editing images or graphics. Examples of graphics software include Adobe Photoshop, GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) and CorelDRAW.
Conclusion
In conclusion, computer software refers to a collection of programs, data, and other related documents that tell a computer how to operate. There are two main types of computer software: System Software and Application Software.
System software manages and controls the hardware components of a computer system while application software refers to programs designed for specific purposes such as word processing or graphics design. Understanding the different types of computer software can help you make better decisions when selecting the right programs for your needs.