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Types of Computer Software

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257 views3 pages

Types of Computer Software

Uploaded by

GlezelBayubay
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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TYPES OF COMPUTER SOFTWARE

Major Types of Software

Software is the means by which computer systems speak with computer users. Software
forms the heart of computer systems. What are the major types of software? Read on to find out.

Software, by definition, is the collection of computer programs, procedures and


documentation that performs different tasks on a computer system. The term 'software' was first
used by John Tukey in 1958. At the very basic level, computer software consists of a machine
language that consists of groups of binary values, which specify processor instructions. The
processor instructions change the state of computer hardware in a predefined sequence. Briefly,
computer software is the language in which a computer speaks.

There are different types of computer software. What are their major types?
Programming Software: This is one of the most commonly known and popularly used forms of
computer software. This software come in forms of tools that assist a programmer in writing
computer programs. Computer programs are sets of logical instructions that make a computer
system perform certain tasks. The tools that help the programmers in instructing a computer
system include text editors, compilers and interpreters.

System Software: It helps in running the computer hardware and the computer system.
System software is a collection of operating systems; devise drivers, servers, windowing systems
and utilities. System software helps an application programmer in abstracting away from
hardware, memory and other internal complexities of a computer.

Application Software: It enables the end users to accomplish certain specific tasks.
Business software, databases and educational software are some forms of application software.
Different word processors, which are dedicated for specialized tasks to be performed by the user,
are other examples of application software.

Apart from these three basic types of software, there are some other well-known forms of
computer software like inventory management software, ERP, utility software, accounting
software and others. Take a look at some of them.
Inventory Management Software: This type of software helps an organization in tracking
its goods and materials on the basis of quality as well as quantity. Warehouse inventory
management functions encompass the internal warehouse movements and storage. Inventory
software helps a company in organizing inventory and optimizing the flow of goods in the
organization, thus leading to an improved customer service.

Utility Software: Also known as service routine, utility software helps in the management
of computer hardware and application software. It performs a small range of tasks. Disk
defragmenters, systems utilities and virus scanners are some of the typical examples of utility
software.

Data Backup and Recovery Software: An ideal data backup and recovery software provides
functionalities beyond simple copying of data files. This software often supports user needs of
specifying what is to be backed up and when. Backup and recovery software preserve the original
organization of files and allow an easy retrieval of the backed up data.
This was an overview of the major types of software. Computer software are widely
popular today and hence we cannot imagine a world of computers without them. We would not
have been able to use computers if not for the software. What is fascinating about the world of
computers is that it has its own languages, its ways of communication with our human world and
human interaction with the computers is possible, thanks to computer software. I wonder, if the
word 'soft' in ‘software’ implies ‘soft-spookiness’, which is an important quality of a pleasant
communication.
Software copyright
Software copyright is the relatively recent extension of copyright law to machine-
readable software. While many of the legal principles and policy debates concerning software
copyright have close parallels in other domains of copyright law, there are a number of distinctive
issues that arise with software. This article will primarily focus on topics peculiar to software.
Software copyright is commonly used by proprietary software companies to prevent the
unauthorized copying of their software. Open source licenses also rely on copyright law to enforce
their terms. For instance, copyleft licenses impose a duty on licensees to share their modifications
to the copylefted work under some circumstances. No such duty would apply had the software in
question been in the public domain.
The copyright infringement of software (often referred to as software piracy) refers to
several practices which involve the unauthorized copying of computer software. Copyright
infringement of this kind is extremely common. Most countries have copyright laws which apply
to software, but the degree of enforcement varies.

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