Computer software

     From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

The factual accuracy of this article is disputed. Computer software (or simply software) is the manifestation of a computer program in the form of data stored in the memory of a computer. This data can be executed (i.e., can perform the task of the program it embodies), either by the hardware of the computer directly, or by interpretation by another piece of software on the computer.

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In computer science computer software is information processed by computer system.

In colloquial language words program and software used as a synonyms for software application.

The term was first used in this sense by John W. Tukey in 1957.

Software stored on non-volatile storage on integrated circuits are usually termed firmware.

Software is often divided into two major categories:

1. system software, which provides the basic system-specific functions of the computer; and
2. application software, which is used to accomplish specific user-oriented tasks.

Sometimes (especially in older texts) software denotes all the data that a computer processes, including "inert" forms of data that do not implement programs. For example, some dictionaries [1] list a meaning like the following:

Information that may provide instructions for computers; data for documentation; and voice, video, and music for entertainment or education.

Definitions like this one are less commonly used in modern times, and can cause confusion where they are used (e.g., in the Debian Social Contract). On the other hand, this definition arguably remains useful because the distinction between "inert" data and "active" programs is not always clear.

For other uses of the word software see Software (disambiguation).

Table of contents

1 System software 2 Application software 3 Software creation 4 Software patents 5 Related articles 6 External links

System software

System software is responsible for controlling, integrating, and managing the individual hardware components of a computer system so that other software and the users of the system see it as a functional unit without having to be concerned with the low-level details such as transferring data from memory to disk, or rendering text onto a display. Generally, system software consists of an operating system and some fundamental utilities such as disk formatters, file managers, display managers, text editors, user authentication (login) and management tools, and networking and device control software.

Application software

Application software, on the other hand, is used to accomplish specific tasks other than just running the computer system. Application software may consist of a single program, such as an image viewer; a small collection of programs (often called a software package) that work closely together to accomplish a task, such as a spreadsheet or text processing system; a larger collection (often called a software suite) of related but independent programs and packages that have a common user interface or shared data format, such as Microsoft Office, which consists of closely integrated word processor, spreadsheet, database management system, etc.; or a software system, such as a database management system, which is a collection of fundamental programs that may provide some service to a variety of other independent applications.

Software creation

Software is created with programming languages and related utilities, which may come in several of the above forms: single programs like script interpreterss, packages containing a compiler, linker, and other tools; and large suites (often called Integrated Development Environments) that include editors, debuggers, and other tools for multiple languages.

• See also: Computer programming, Software engineering, Software architecture

Software patents

The issue of software patents is very controversial, since while patents protect the ideas of "inventors", they are widely believed to hinder software development.

Related articles

• Computing
• Computer programming
  • Software engineering
  • Programming languages
  • Text editors
  • Compilers
  • Algorithms
  • Color management
  • Software development process
  • Software development tools
  • Software optimization
  • Application Programming Interface (API)
• Software packages
  • Graphics programs
    • Graphics file formats
    • Raster graphics
    • Vector graphics
    • 3D graphics
    • Digital video
  • Business software
    • Business workflow analysis
    • Customer relationship management
    • Disk cloning
  • Art software
    • MLCAD
  • Entertainment software
    • Computer games
  • Office applications suites
    • Word processor
    • Spreadsheet
    • Database
    • Document management system
  • Analytical software
    • DADiSP
    • MathCAD
    • Mathematica
    • MATLAB
  • Utilities
    • Media players
    • Hard disk recorder
  • Collaborative software
    • Business workflow analysis
    • business management systems p2p
    • OpenSource
    • Blog
    • WikiWiki
    • Slashcode
    • NupeCode
    • Everything Engine
  • Cryptography
    • Pretty Good Privacy
    • GNU Privacy Guard
  • Educational Software
  • Internet suite
• Operating systems
  • (list moved to OS article)
• Software licenses
  • • Business workflow analysis
    • business management systems p2p
  • Open Source software
  • Software piracy
• shovelware
• freeware
• shareware
• Origins of computer terms

External links

• Software definiton @ Webopedia