Software is basically
instructions written in any programming language. These have been used to
handle other software or hardware components in any computer or digital
machine. There are different types of software present as per usage
In our previous chapters, we have seen different
types of hardware or we can say different components of the computers. All the
components which can be touch and feel physically are called Hardware. Like monitor, keyboard, mouse, RAM, HDD, etc.
Hardware components are manufactured by various companies.
On the other hand, all the components which can’t
be touch by physically but can be seen by eyes are called Software. Like Microsoft Word, Excel, Windows Operating
System, etc. Softwares are not manufactured, however, these would be developed in any programming languages.
Software
The software has been
used to provide instructions to the Hardware components. Without software, the
hardware is just like a stone. In a computer system, every action of the hardware
is handled by the software.
Software is a set of
multiple programs A program is a set of instruction to perform any task
Line of code-set of
Instructions-Program-Set of programs -Software
Types of Software
The software has been
categorized into three types based on usage and functionality.
System Software
Application Software
Web Applications
System Software
These type of software
have been used by a computer system itself. A person can’t handle the internal
process or inter-communication within CPU. As a user, he can only provide input
to the system and can view the output. So, to handle all these internal process
System Software have been used.
A most common example
is Operating System, like Windows 7, Windows
10, MAC OS, Android, iOS. All these software have been used to operate a
different kind of Machines. The main task of OS is to manage memory, booting
process, scheduling task, etc.
Another example
is Device Driver, like an audio
driver, mouse and keyboard driver, printer driver, etc. Actually, drivers act
as an interface between various Hardware components.
Application Software
To perform any
specific and special task we need application software. For example, if you
want to write any story you can use MS-Word. If you want to do
some complex calculations and maintain records, you can use MS-Excel. These are the very common and basic example.
Most of the
organizations create their own application software for internal use and as per
their requirements. Like, bank application, railways, etc.
Web Applications
All the above software
System and Applications are installable. Means we need to install these on the
Hard Disc Drive. Once installed, this software is available for all the time.
This software takes lots of space on the HDD for the installation.
There is another type
of the Software for which no installation required. We could access these
software using any web browser. That’s why these are
called Web Applications. Like, online banking website, google, railway
reservation web site, University websites, etc
