Computer Software
Computer instructions or data. Anything that can be stored electronically is software. The storage devices and display devices are hardware.The terms software and hardware are used as both nouns and adjectives. For example, you can say: "The problem lies in the software," meaning that there is a problem with the program or data, not with the computer itself. You can also say: "It's a software problem."
The distinction between software and hardware is sometimes confusing because they are so integrally linked. Clearly, when you purchase a program, you are buying software. But to buy the software, you need to buy the disk (hardware) on which the software is recorded.
Software is often divided into two categories:
# systems software : Includes the operating system and all the utilities that enable the computer to function.
# applications software : Includes programs that do real work for users. For example, word processors, spreadsheets, and database management systems fall under the category of applications software.
Software is the general term for information that's recorded onto some kind of medium. For example, when you go to the video store and rent or buy a tape or DVD, what you're really getting is the software that's stored on that tape or disk. Your VCR or DVD player are hardware devices that are capable of reading the software from a tape or disk and projecting it onto your TV screen, in the form of a movie.
Some general kinds of application software include:
* Productivity software, which includes word processors, spreadsheets, and tools for use by most computer users
* Presentation software
* Graphics software for graphic designers
* CAD/CAM software
* Specialized scientific applications
* vertical market or industry-specific software (for example, for banking, insurance, retail, and manufacturing environments)
