What Does Software Mean?
Software, in its most general sense, is a set of instructions or programs instructing a computer to do specific tasks.
Software is a generic term used to describe computer programs that run on PCs, mobile phones, tablets, or other smart devices.
Software is often used to describe all the functional aspects of a computer that do not refer to its physical components (hardware). Scripts, applications, programs and a set of instructions are all terms often used to describe software.
Everything that “runs” on a computer, from an operating system, to a diagnostic tool, video game, or app can be defined as software.
The theory of software was first proposed by Alan Turing in 1935 in his essay: Computable numbers with an application to the Entscheidungs problem. However, the word software was coined by mathematician and statistician John Tukey, in a 1958 issue of American Mathematical Monthly in which he discussed electronic calculators' programs.
The Four Categories of Software
Programming software
Programming software is a set of tools to aid developers in writing programs. The various tools available are compilers, linkers, debuggers, interpreters and text editors.
System software
System software serves as a base for application software. System software includes device drivers, operating systems (OSs), compilers, disk formatters, text editors and utilities helping the computer to operate more efficiently.
It is also responsible for managing hardware components and providing basic non-task-specific functions. The system software is usually written in the C programming language.
Application software
Application software is intended to perform certain tasks. Examples of application software include office suites, gaming applications, database systems and educational software.
Application software can be a single program or a collection of small programs. This type of software is what consumers most typically think of as "software."
Malicious software (malware)
Malicious software is intentionally developed to damage computers and/or disrupt other software. Harm is often caused unbeknownst to users who inadvertently installed malware since this type of software usually acts in secret.
Examples of malware are:
- Spyware
- Computer viruses
- Trojan horses
- Worms
- Adware
In a nutshell, without software, a computer won’t perform any function and will simply be a useless, inert machine. Different types of software also exist in direct mutual relations.
For example, an application software such as a word processing software cannot work unless an operating system runs it, and the OS cannot be developed unless a programming software was used in the first place.
Software needs to be installed before it can function, usually by copying it on a computer or smartphone drive from a physical support (CD, DVD, floppy disk, etc.) or by downloading it over the Internet.
When the user operating the computer doesn’t want the software anymore, it can be permanently removed by uninstalling it (although some malware may require other software, like an antivirus, to be removed).
Software can be purchased online or in shops, or come for free. Trial versions or shareware allow the users to test the software for free for a limited number of uses or a certain time, after which they can choose to buy it.
Freeware and open source software, instead, can be used without paying anything — the latter even providing the source code used to make the program so that anyone can modify or improve it.
Computer Software Defined
Computer software is programming code executed on a computer processor. The code can be machine-level code, or code written for an operating system. An operating system is software intended to provide a predictable and dependable layer for other programmers to build other software on, which are known as applications. Operating systems can be found on all smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers. These systems give the device the functionality it needs. For example, Apple's iOS and Android's OS were developed specifically for portable devices.
Computer software provides a dependable layer for hardware manufacturers. This standardization creates an efficient environment for programmers to create smaller programs, which can be run by millions of computers.
Software can also be thought of as an expression that contrasts with hardware. The physical components of a computer are the hardware; the digital programs running on the hardware are the software. Software can also be updated or replaced much easier than hardware. Additionally, software can be distributed to a number of hardware receivers. Basically, software is the computer logic computer users interact with.
Basic Examples
A machine-level example of software is Basic Input/Output System, or BIOS. When you start the computer, the BIOS loads and runs before your hard drive even connects. The BIOS checks connection to hardware and looks for the operating system to load. You can upgrade the BIOS by flashing, which is when you replace machine-level software stored on the main board of your computer. Like BIOS, the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) starts when you turn on your computer. This interface supports larger hard drives, additional security functions, and boots faster than the Basic Input/Output System.
A familiar example of application software is Notepad. Notepad runs when the user activates it and it has certain requirements. You need an operating system and hardware processor. The programmers of Notepad wrote software for a specific environment. Once the software is loaded into the computer's memory, the processor is able to read it. The program then becomes a process, and the user can interact with it.