An Over View on Software

Software is the invisible parts of computer. It is the collection of all computer programs and data that give the instruction about what and how to do a certain operation. Software may be a set of programs, procedures, algorithms etc.It is used to maintain the hardware by giving the proper instruction.

There are three types of software application software, programming software, and system software.

System software includes device drivers, operating systems, servers, utilities, and window systems. System software is used to provide basic functionality. System software operates the computer hardware and creates the platform for application software. Some examples of system software are Microsoft windows, Linux, MacOS. System software transfer the data between memory and disc and 

Render the image on display.

Application software includes enterprise software, accounting software, office suites, graphics software etc. It may be bundled with the computer and system software. It is designed to maintain some specific tasks. There are mainly two categories of   application software, horizontal applications and vertical applications. Some other type of application software is product engineering software, education software, application suite, media development, etc.

Programming software includes some programming tools such as compilers, debugger, interpreters, linkers, text editors. These programs are used to create, debug, maintain etc.

In the age of modern computer, three layers of software are available for performing various tasks. They are application software, user-written software, platform software. Platform software includes firmwares, graphical user interface. Platform software interact the user with the peripherals. Generally it is bundled with computer but it may be changed.

Application software is very familiar .Generally when people think about software they think about application software. They may run independently or can be bundled with computer. Common example of application software is office suites and video games.

User-written software is used for more specific purpose. Actually it is made when any specific requirement is absent in other type of software. So it is not so familiar to all.

There are some other terms related to software. They are software documentation, library, standard, reliability, license, patents, development etc. All these terms are generally used for user written in maximum case.