What is Software? Definition, Types, Examples, and More

Software and its Types

Last Updated : 29 Aug, 2023
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Software is a collection of instructions, data, or computer programs that are used to run machines and carry out particular activities. It is the antithesis of hardware, which refers to a computer’s external components. A device’s running programs, scripts, and applications are collectively referred to as “software” in this context.

What is a Software?

In a computer system, the software is basically a set of instructions or commands that tell a computer what to do. In other words, the software is a computer program that provides a set of instructions to execute a user’s commands and tell the computer what to do. For example like MS-Word, MS-Excel, PowerPoint, etc.

Types of Software

It is a collection of data that is given to the computer to complete a particular task. The chart below describes the types of software:

Types of Software

Above is the diagram of types of software. Now we will briefly describe each type and its subtypes:

  1. System Software
    • Operating System
    • Language Processor
    • Device Driver
  2. Application Software
    • General Purpose Software
    • Customize Software
    • Utility Software

System Software

System software is software that directly operates the computer hardware and provides the basic functionality to the users as well as to the other software to operate smoothly. Or in other words, system software basically controls a computer’s internal functioning and also controls hardware devices such as monitors, printers, and storage devices, etc. It is like an interface between hardware and user applications, it helps them to communicate with each other because hardware understands machine language(i.e. 1 or 0) whereas user applications are work in human-readable languages like English, Hindi, German, etc. so system software converts the human-readable language into machine language and vice versa.

Types of System Software

It has two subtypes which are:

  1. Operating System: It is the main program of a computer system. When the computer system ON it is the first software that loads into the computer’s memory. Basically, it manages all the resources such as computer memory, CPU, printer, hard disk, etc., and provides an interface to the user, which helps the user to interact with the computer system. It also provides various services to other computer software. Examples of operating systems are Linux, Apple macOS, Microsoft Windows, etc.
  2. Language Processor: As we know that system software converts the human-readable language into a machine language and vice versa. So, the conversion is done by the language processor. It converts programs written in high-level programming languages like Java, C, C++, Python, etc(known as source code), into sets of instructions that are easily readable by machines(known as object code or machine code).
  3. Device Driver: A device driver is a program or software that controls a device and helps that device to perform its functions. Every device like a printer, mouse, modem, etc. needs a driver to connect with the computer system eternally. So, when you connect a new device with your computer system, first you need to install the driver of that device so that your operating system knows how to control or manage that device.

Features of System Software

Let us discuss some of the features of System Software:

  • System Software is closer to the computer system.
  • System Software is written in a low-level language in general.
  • System software is difficult to design and understand.
  • System software is fast in speed(working speed).
  • System software is less interactive for the users in comparison to application software.

Application Software 

Software that performs special functions or provides functions that are much more than the basic operation of the computer is known as application software. Or in other words, application software is designed to perform a specific task for end-users. It is a product or a program that is designed only to fulfill end-users’ requirements. It includes word processors, spreadsheets, database management, inventory, payroll programs, etc.

Types of Application Software

There are different types of application software and those are:

  1. General Purpose Software: This type of application software is used for a variety of tasks and it is not limited to performing a specific task only. For example, MS-Word, MS-Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
  2. Customized Software: This type of application software is used or designed to perform specific tasks or functions or designed for specific organizations. For example, railway reservation system, airline reservation system, invoice management system, etc.
  3. Utility Software: This type of application software is used to support the computer infrastructure. It is designed to analyze, configure, optimize and maintains the system, and take care of its requirements as well. For example, antivirus, disk fragmenter, memory tester, disk repair, disk cleaners, registry cleaners, disk space analyzer, etc.

Features of Application Software

Let us discuss some of the features of Application Software:

  • An important feature of application software is it performs more specialized tasks like word processing, spreadsheets, email, etc.
  • Mostly, the size of the software is big, so it requires more storage space.
  • Application software is more interactive for the users, so it is easy to use and design.
  • The application software is easy to design and understand.
  • Application software is written in a high-level language in general.

Difference Between System Software and Application Software

Now, let us discuss some difference between system software and application software:

System Software 

Application Software
It is designed to manage the resources of the computer system, like memory and process management, etc. It is designed to fulfill the requirements of the user for performing specific tasks.
Written in a low-level language.  Written in a high-level language.
Less interactive for the users. More interactive for the users.
System software plays vital role for the effective functioning of a system. Application software is not so important for the functioning of the system, as it is task specific.
It is independent of the application software to run. It needs system software to run.

For more Information you can refer to this article on – Difference between System Software and Application Software.

Software and Its Type – FAQs

1. What is difference between a software and a program?

There is a main difference between software and a program. Both are for enabling the computer to perform specific task. The software is the collection of programs. we have create a program to perform the task and they compiled if there is no error in program then program sent to create a software. Program is the set of instructions that are written by programmer in a language while the software is a collection of program that will enable the system to perform the specific task.

2. What is an example of Software?

You need software in order for the computer to operate effectively. It is a collection of data that is given to the computer to complete a particular task. three main categories of software are application software, programming software, and system software. All these three are important for the particular task to be performed.

Below are some software examples.

3. Which software is used to control the operations of a computer?

There are two types of software system software and application software. System Software is used to control the operations and also controls a computer’s internal functioning and hardware devices.

4. Which software is designed to solve a specific problem or to do a specific task

Application Software is designed to solve a specific problem or to do a specific task Because a software that performs special functions or provides function which are much more than basic operation of the computer are application software.



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