We use technology in everything we do, and computers have become a part of our a to day lives. They are used not only in our homes but in stores, schools, hospitals, and even governments. Without them, our lives can easily come to a standstill.
Software development is a critical part of technology. This is evident in the growth of software development as a career. So if you are not a techie and are looking to deepen your knowledge of software types, you are in the right place.
What is Software?
First things first, let us get our definition of software right. Software is a set of instructions written in code that instruct a computer on what to do. So, whether you are looking at pictures on your phone, reading a book, or working on a document, you are using the software. If you are interested, you can read more on this at tonymonzon.com.
When computers were gaining popularity, software was mainly sold commercially. This has evolved over the years, and software is now distributed in other ways.
- Commercial distribution. This is the distribution of software through the developer or retailers for purchase. When you buy said software, you only purchase the license and therefore do not have the rights to the software. This means that the developer can change the software as they please.
- Freeware. This is software that is completely free of charge. Unfortunately, most free software usually comes with ads. Such software is known as adware.
- Open-source. As the name suggests, this is software entirely open to the public. That means anyone with access to it can change it however they want. This means that you can modify such software the way you want to. Not all open software is free.
- Shareware. This is software freely distributed. The free option is only available for a limited time. However, the developer may request a fee later from you to continue using it.
Some look at these distribution channels above as classifications of software.
Types of Software
Software is categorized in three main ways:
- System software
- Application software
- Programming software
System Software
System software is the main software in a computer that enables the hardware components to run. It enables the user to interact with the computer’s hardware. System software is critical in managing programs and applications and is determined by the hardware device. There are different types of system software including:
- Operating system software. A computer’s hardware and other system software cannot function without the operating system. All devices require an OS to perform basic functions. The most popular OS used is Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Firmware. Firmware refers to instructions permanently stored on a hardware device that enables the device to interact with other hardware.
- Utility software. This type of software contains programs that manage a computer system, helping it to function smoothly. They include anti-malware software and hard drive clean-up tools.
- Device drivers. Device driver software refers to software that allows the OS to interact with the different hardware components like the keyboard, printer, mouse, and video card.
Application Software
Application software is third-party software downloaded and installed for a specific function. This type of software is user-oriented. In other words, this is the software you most interact with. Application software helps you complete different tasks. The most popular computer applications include office applications, media players, data management software, gaming software, and browsers.
Application software only does the work that it was created to do. This means that a budgeting application will only help you perform budgeting and related financial tasks.
There is countless application software that focuses on one specific function. For example, you can find various applications for budgeting. Therefore, before installing application software, make sure that it is the software you can easily navigate, comes from a secure website, and is compatible with your operating system.
Programming software
Programming software is software designed to develop software. It is software specifically used by programmers or software developers to write code. There are different types of programming software,
- Linkers. This is a computer program that takes object files from a compiler or assembler and combines them into a single executable file that can run independently.
- Compilers. These are programmers that help translate programming languages into machine language code that a computer can interpret.
- Debuggers. Debuggers are software programs used to debug and test the applications being designed.
- Malware. Malware is dangerous software designed to harm a user or device. Malware comes in different forms, including viruses, spyware, adware, worms, and ransomware. Each of these works in a specific way and can be used to steal data and damage computer systems and networks.
Finally
A computer without software is just a shell. Software makes our lives not only easier but also fun. You can find software for anything you can think of. This just goes to show how software is critical in our everyday lives.