Software is a collection of computer programs, procedures and documentation that perform some task on a computer system. We can also define as Software a program in which a user gets the output when he gives any input.
The term includes application software such as word processors which perform productive tasks for users, system software such as operating systems, which interface with hardware to provide the necessary services for application software, and middleware which controls and co-ordinates distributed systems.
A Computer is a physical collection of bits that you can touch like the main system box, screen, keyboard and mouse etc. But inside is this stuff called software. So, computer is a hardware device that reads software also. Most of the software on your computer comes in the form of programs.
Some are the examples of software:
- All operating systems like window XP, window 2005 etc
- Media player
- Microsoft Office
- Visual Studio 2005
- All Databases like SQL Server, Oracle etc
- Word Processor
- Computer Game or Spreadsheet
A program consists of “instructions” that tell the computer what to do and how to behave. When you buy a computer, you do not automatically get every program produced by every software company in this world. You may usually get some programs. For example, when you buy a computer it may have an operating system like Windows XP, already installed on it.
TYPES OF SOFTWARE
System software: It helps to run the computer hardware and computer system. It includes diagnostic tools, operating systems, servers, windowing systems, device drivers, utilities and more. The purpose of this software is that all the utilities enable the computer to function like memory and other hardware features, and such as accessory devices as printers, communications, readers, keyboards, displays etc.
Programming software: It usually provides tools to assist a programmer in writing computer programs using different programming languages in a more convenient way. The tools include debuggers, text editors, interpreters, compilers, linkers, and so on.
Application software: It allows end users to accomplish one or more non-computer related tasks. Include programs that do real work for users. For example, word processors, spreadsheets and database management systems fall under the category of applications software.
So, we can say that Computer instructions or data anything that can be stored electronically is software.