Software: Bringing the Machine to Life

What is Software:

• Software is a set of electronic instructions that tells the computer how to do certain tasks.A set of instructions is often called a program.
• When a  computer is using  a particular program,it is said to be running or executing the program.
• The  two most common types of programs are system software and application software.  

System Software: 

• System software exists primarily for the computer itself,to help the computer perform specific function.
• One major type of system software is the operating system(OS).All computers require an operating system.
• The OS tells the computer how to interact with the user and its own devices
• Common operating systems include Windows,The Macintosh OS,OS/2,UNIX.   

Application Software:  

• Application software tells the computer how to accomplish tasks the user requires,such as creating a document or editing a graphic image.
• Some important kinds of application software are:

                    Word processing programs

                    Database management

                    Graphics programs

                    Browsers

                    Networking software

                    Internet applications

and so on..