SOFTWARE

Software is a collection of instructions, data, or computer programs that are

used to run machines and carry out particular activities. It is the antithesis of
hardware, which refers to a computer’s external components. A device’s running
programs, scripts, and applications are collectively referred to as “software” in
this context.
What is a Software?
In a computer system, the software is basically a set of instructions or
commands that tell a computer what to do. In other words, the software is a
computer program that provides a set of instructions to execute a user’s
commands and tell the computer what to do. For example like MS-Word, MS-
Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
Types of Software
It is a collection of data that is given to the computer to complete a particular
task. The chart below describes the types of software:

Above is the diagram of types of software. Now we will briefly describe each
type and its subtypes:
1. System Software
 • Operating System
• Language Processor
• Device Driver
2. Application Software
• General Purpose Software
• Customize Software
• Utility Software

System Software
System software is software that directly operates the computer hardware and
provides the basic functionality to the users as well as to the other software to
operate smoothly. Or in other words, system software basically controls a
computer’s internal functioning and also controls hardware devices such as
monitors, printers, and storage devices, etc. It is like an interface between
hardware and user applications, it helps them to communicate with each other
because hardware understands machine language(i.e. 1 or 0) whereas user
applications are work in human-readable languages like English, Hindi, German,
etc. so system software converts the human-readable language into machine
language and vice versa.
Types of System Software
It has two subtypes which are:
1. Operating System: It is the main program of a computer system.
When the computer system ON it is the first software that loads into
the computer’s memory. Basically, it manages all the resources such
as computer memory, CPU, printer, hard disk, etc., and provides an
interface to the user, which helps the user to interact with the
computer system. It also provides various services to other computer
software. Examples of operating systems are Linux, Apple
macOS, Microsoft Windows, etc.
2. Language Processor: As we know that system software converts the
human-readable language into a machine language and vice versa.
So, the conversion is done by the language processor. It converts
programs written in high-level programming
languages like Java, C, C++, Python, etc(known as source code), into
sets of instructions that are easily readable by machines(known as
object code or machine code).
 3. Device Driver: A device driver is a program or software that controls
a device and helps that device to perform its functions. Every device
like a printer, mouse, modem, etc. needs a driver to connect with the
computer system eternally. So, when you connect a new device with
your computer system, first you need to install the driver of that
device so that your operating system knows how to control or
manage that device.
Features of System Software
Let us discuss some of the features of System Software:
• System Software is closer to the computer system.
• System Software is written in a low-level language in general.
• System software is difficult to design and understand.
• System software is fast in speed(working speed).
• System software is less interactive for the users in comparison to
application software.
Application Software
Software that performs special functions or provides functions that are much
more than the basic operation of the computer is known as application software.
Or in other words, application software is designed to perform a specific task for
end-users. It is a product or a program that is designed only to fulfill end-users’
requirements. It includes word processors, spreadsheets, database
management, inventory, payroll programs, etc.
Types of Application Software
There are different types of application software and those are:
1. General Purpose Software: This type of application software is used
for a variety of tasks and it is not limited to performing a specific task
only. For example, MS-Word, MS-Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
2. Customized Software: This type of application software is used or
designed to perform specific tasks or functions or designed for
specific organizations. For example, railway reservation system,
airline reservation system, invoice management system, etc.
3. Utility Software: This type of application software is used to support
the computer infrastructure. It is designed to analyze, configure,
optimize and maintains the system, and take care of its requirements
 as well. For example, antivirus, disk fragmenter, memory tester, disk
repair, disk cleaners, registry cleaners, disk space analyzer, etc.
Features of Application Software
Let us discuss some of the features of Application Software:
• An important feature of application software is it performs more
specialized tasks like word processing, spreadsheets, email, etc.
• Mostly, the size of the software is big, so it requires more storage
space.
• Application software is more interactive for the users, so it is easy to
use and design.
• The application software is easy to design and understand.
• Application software is written in a high-level language in general.
Difference Between System Software and Application
Software
Now, let us discuss some difference between system software and application
software:

System Software Application Software

It is designed to manage the resources It is designed to fulfill the

of the computer system, like memory requirements of the user for
and process management, etc. performing specific tasks.

Written in a low-level language. Written in a high-level language.

Less interactive for the users. More interactive for the users.

Application software is not so

System software plays vital role for the
important for the functioning of the
effective functioning of a system.
system, as it is task specific.

It is independent of the application

It needs system software to run.
software to run.
1. What is difference between a software and a program?

There is a main difference between software and a program. Both are for
enabling the computer to perform specific task. The software is the collection of
programs. we have create a program to perform the task and they compiled if
there is no error in program then program sent to create a software. Program is
the set of instructions that are written by programmer in a language while the
software is a collection of program that will enable the system to perform the
specific task.

2. What is an example of Software?

You need software in order for the computer to operate effectively. It is a

collection of data that is given to the computer to complete a particular task.
three main categories of software are application software, programming
software, and system software. All these three are important for the particular
task to be performed.
Below are some software examples.
• Management Tools
• Compression Tools
• Internet Explorer
• ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)
• BI (Business Intelligence)
• Customer Support Systems

3. Which software is used to control the operations of a computer?

There are two types of software system software and application software.
System Software is used to control the operations and also controls a
computer’s internal functioning and hardware devices.

4. Which software is designed to solve a specific problem or to do a

specific task
Application Software is designed to solve a specific problem or to do a specific
task Because a software that performs special functions or provides function
which are much more than basic operation of the computer are application
software.