Computer Software

Software:
Software is a combination or a set of instruction or program that are designed to operate or run hardware. These instructions are developed to tell hardware what to do. It is the way of interaction between user and computer hardware. For a computer hardware software is as essential as soul for a body. We can say that without software, computer is just a useless box.

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Software Vs Program:
Mostly people thinks of software and program as the same but there is some difference. A program is a sequence of instructions and statements in a computer language, which tells the computer what to do, how to do and when to do. Software is the set of programs which is used to operate and make use of hardware. These programs or instructions are electronic and non touchable, so they are called software.

Types Of Software:
Softwares are broadly classified into two types:

System Software Application Software Programming Languages

System Softwares: System softwares are the software which are essential for computer system. These softwares directs and controls computer hardware. Computer cannot work without system softwares. System softwares are further classified into: Operating System: Operating system consist of the master system of programs that manage the basic operations of the computer.These programs provide resources management services. Operating System operates and governs all over the operations of computer whether it would be a device management or an application management.

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Operating system performs a variety of management task that can be classified as: a. Booting: Booting is a process of loading operating system in to a computers main memory. b. CPU management: Operating System also manages the C.P.U. Its Kernel program works like a supervisor and remain in main memory while the computer is running and direct other programs that are not in main memory, to perform task that support other programs.In this way operating system manages all the devices attached to computer. c. Task Management: A computer is required to perform many different task at once. Operating system manages these tasks, handle them and run them simultaneously. d. File Management: The operating system records the storage location of all files.If we move, rename or delete a file the operating system manges such changes and helps you locate and gain access to it. e. Formatting: Formatting a disk means the process of preparing the diskso that it can store data or program. Language Translators: These programs are used to translate a high level language(human understandable Language) into Machine Language which is understandable by a computer. They translate the source program, containing instruction for computer, into into object program.

Device drivers & Utility Programs: Device drivers are specialized software programs that allow input output and other devices to to communicate with the rest of computer systems. Utility Programs are designed for every day system management and chores several utility programs are: Backup utility, Data Recovery Utility, Virus protection etc.

Application Soft wares: Application software are not essential like system softwares. Users keep them as they required. And when they are not needed user can also remove them from the system. Application soft wares are further classified into: Word Processor: Word processor is a program that is used to write, edit, format, save and print a document. It is an application program that is used to create documents e.g. letters, memos, even for composing books. Electronic Spread Sheet: Electronic spread sheets are used to organize data, perform calculations and analyze result. Presentation making Software: presentation software uses graphics, animations, sound and data or information to make visual presentations. DBMS (Data Base Management System): DBMS is a program that sets up and controls the structure of a database and access to the data. Computer-Aided Design: CAD programs are used for the design of products, structures, civil engineering drawings and map. Image Editing: These programs are used to edit or even create images. These programs are used for designing purposes like visiting cards, brochures etc. Communication: Communication software is an application or program designed to pass information from one system to another. Such software provides remote access to systems and transmits files in a multitude of formats between computers. Others: Beside above mentioned softwares there are a variety of application programs that are used for different purposes such as education, entertainment, special discipline (astrology, geography, scientific), etc
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Programming Languages: Programming languages are the languages used to interact with computers. These are the languages in which user gives instruction to the computer.All the programs are designed and developed in programming languages. Programming Languages are further divided into: Low-Level Languages: Low level languages are computer friendly languages as they are easily understandable by computers. They rarly required language translators or language translator is not required for Retrived from them. Machine Language, for example, is a low level language and it is directly understandable by computer whereas programming is machine language is difficult because it is not human friendly. High-Level Languages: High Level Languages are human friendly language as they are easily understandable by human and mostly like human languages. Computer need translator to understand the commands given in high level languages. High level languages are intended to make programming simpler. High level Languages are widely used these days for programming. They are just like an abstraction of human language.
http://www.warepin.com/computer-hardwareand-computer-software-are-inseparable/

Citation: For the above work these resources are used for refference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software

Mohammead Daud Awan, D., & Musarrat-ul-Ain, (2002).Basics of information technology. (2nd ed.). Karachi: National Book Foundation. William. , & Sawyer, (2001). Using information technology. (4th ed.). International Edition: Mc Graw Hill.