Software

Computer software is a general term that describes computer programs. Related terms such as software programs, applications, scripts, and instruction sets all fall under the category of computer software. Therefore, installing new programs or applications on your computer is synonymous with installing new software on your computer. Software is a generic term for organized collections of computer data and instructions, often broken into two major categories: system software that provides the basic nontask-specific functions of the computer, and application software which is used by users to accomplish specific tasks. Software is created with programming languages and related utilities, which may come in several of the above forms: single programs like script interpreters, packages containing a compiler, linker, other tools and large suites (often called Integrated Development Environments) that include editors, debuggers, and other tools for multiple languages.

Application Software
Application software utilizes the capacities of a computer directly for a dedicated task. Application software is able to manipulate text, numbers and graphics. It can be in the form of software focused on a certain single task like word processing, spreadsheet or playing of audio and video files. Here we look at the application software types along with some examples of application software of each type.

Different Types of Application Software

Word Processing Software: This software enables users to create and edit documents. The most popular examples of this type of software are MS-Word, WordPad and Notepad among other text editors. Database Software: Database is a structured collection of data. A computer database relies on database software to organize data and enable database users to perform database operations. Database software allows users to store and retrieve data from databases. Examples are Oracle, MS Access, etc.

Spreadsheet Software: Excel, Lotus 1-2-3 and Apple Numbers are some examples of spreadsheet software. Spreadsheet software allows users to perform calculations using spreadsheets. They simulate paper worksheets by displaying multiple cells that make up a grid. Multimedia Software: They allow users to create and play audio and video files. They are capable of playing media files. Audio converters, audio players, burners, video encoders and decoders are some forms of multimedia software. Examples of this type of software include Real Player and Media Player. Presentation Software: The software that is used to display information in the form of a slide show is known as presentation software. This type of software includes three functions, namely, editing that allows insertion and formatting of text, methods to include graphics in the text and a functionality of executing slide shows. Microsoft PowerPoint is the best example of presentation software. Enterprise Software: It deals with the needs of organization processes and data flow. Customer relationship management or the financial processes in an organization are carried out with the help of enterprise software. Information Worker Software: Individual projects within a department and individual needs of creation and management of information are handled by information worker software. Documentation tools, resource management tools and personal management systems fall under the category of this type of application software. Educational Software: It has the capabilities of running tests and tracking progress. It also has the capabilities of a collaborative software. It is often used in teaching and self-learning. Dictionaries like Britannica and Encarta, mathematical software like Matlab and others like Google Earth and NASA World Wind are some of the well-known names in this category. Simulation Software: Used to simulate physical or abstract systems, simulation software finds applications in both, research and entertainment. Flight simulators and scientific simulators are examples of simulation software.

Content Access Software: It is used to access content without editing. Common examples of content access software are web browsers and media players. Application Suites: An application suite is an important type of application software. It consists of a group of applications combined to perform related functions. OpenOffice.org and Microsoft Office are the best examples of this type of application software. These application suites, as you know, come as bundles of applications like word processors, spreadsheets, presentation software, etc. Applications in the suite can work together or operate on each other's files.

System Software
System software is a collection of software programs that enable the user to interact with the computing device without getting lost among the complexities of technical interactions between mechanical parts and machine-oriented codified programs. These programs are the building blocks that construct the entire system software architecture including the parts that regulate input/output functions, those that provide application software platforms and the various different types of operating system software component programs. Let's take a look at some basic system software programs that form the building blocks of the desired user-functionalities of a computing device. System software is set of programs to control and manage the actual operations of a computer hardware. It controls the usage and allocation of different hardware components. It enables application programs to execute properly. It controls the basic operations as follows: 1. Saving data on disk 2. Making computer to work for us 3. Printing a document etc

Types of System Software

Different types of system software are as follows: 1. Operating System An operating system is a set of programs that manages all computer components and operations. A computer cannot do anything without operating system. Operating system must be installed on every computer. Users interact with the computer through operating system. DOS and Windows are examples of operating system software. 2. Utility Programs A utility program is a type of system software that is used to perform a specific task. It is normally used to solve the common problems of software and hardware. Antivirus and file compressor are two examples of utility programs. 3. Device Drivers A device driver is a program that is used to operate and control a device attached to computer. Device drivers are provided by manufactures of devices. The devices cannot function properly without device drivers.

REFERENCES
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/different-types-of-application-software.html http://www.buzzle.com/articles/types-of-system-software.html