Software and Its Types

Software and its
Types
What is a Software?
 In a computer system, the software is basically a set of instructions or

commands that tell a computer what to do. In other words, the
software is a computer program that provides a set of instructions to
execute a user’s commands and tell the computer what to do. For
example like MS-Word, MS-Excel, PowerPoint, etc
Types of Software
 It is a collection of data that is given to the computer to complete a particular

task. The chart below describes the types of software:
Types
 System Software
 Operating System
 Language Processor
 Device Driver
 Application Software
 General Purpose Software
 Customize Software
 Utility Software
System Software
 System software is software that directly operates the

computer hardware and provides the basic functionality to the users
as well as to the other software to operate smoothly. Or in other
words, system software basically controls a computer’s internal
functioning and also controls hardware devices such as monitors,
printers, and storage devices, etc. It is like an interface between
hardware and user applications, it helps them to communicate with
each other because hardware understands machine language(i.e. 1 or
0) whereas user applications are work in human-readable languages
like English, Hindi, German, etc. so system software converts the
human-readable language into machine language and vice versa.
Types of System Software
 Operating System: It is the main program of a computer system. When the

computer system ON it is the first software that loads into the computer’s memory.
Basically, it manages all the resources such as computer memory, CPU, printer, hard
disk, etc., and provides an interface to the user, which helps the user to interact with
the computer system. It also provides various services to other computer software.
Examples of operating systems are Linux, Apple macOS, Microsoft Windows, etc.
 Language Processor: As we know that system software converts the human-
readable language into a machine language and vice versa. So, the conversion is done
by the language processor. It converts programs written in high-level
programming languages like Java, C, C++, Python, etc(known as source code), into
sets of instructions that are easily readable by machines(known as object code or
machine code).
 Device Driver: A device driver is a program or software that controls a device and
helps that device to perform its functions. Every device like a printer, mouse, modem,
etc. needs a driver to connect with the computer system eternally. So, when you
connect a new device with your computer system, first you need to install the driver
of that device so that your operating system knows how to control or manage that
device.
Features of System Software
 Let us discuss some of the features of System Software:

 System Software is closer to the computer system.
 System Software is written in a low-level language in general.
 System software is difficult to design and understand.
 System software is fast in speed(working speed).
 System software is less interactive for the users in comparison to
application software.
Application Software
 Software that performs special functions or provides functions that

are much more than the basic operation of the computer is known as
application software. Or in other words, application software is
designed to perform a specific task for end-users. It is a product or a
program that is designed only to fulfill end-users’ requirements. It
includes word processors, spreadsheets, database management,
inventory, payroll programs, etc.
Types of Application Software
 There are different types of application software and those are:

 General Purpose Software: This type of application software is used for a variety of
tasks and it is not limited to performing a specific task only. For example, MS-Word,
MS-Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
 Customized Software: This type of application software is used or designed to
perform specific tasks or functions or designed for specific organizations. For
example, railway reservation system, airline reservation system, invoice management
system, etc.
 Utility Software: This type of application software is used to support the computer
infrastructure. It is designed to analyze, configure, optimize and maintains the system,
and take care of its requirements as well. For example, antivirus, disk fragmenter,
memory tester, disk repair, disk cleaners, registry cleaners, disk space analyzer, etc.
Features of Application
Software
 Let us discuss some of the features of Application Software:
 An important feature of application software is it performs more
specialized tasks like word processing, spreadsheets, email, etc.
 Mostly, the size of the software is big, so it requires more storage
space.
 Application software is more interactive for the users, so it is easy to
use and design.
 The application software is easy to design and understand.
 Application software is written in a high-level language in general.
Difference Between System Software and Application
Software
System Software Application Software
It is designed to manage the resources of the

It is designed to fulfill the requirements of the user
computer system, like memory and process
for performing specific tasks.
management, etc.
Written in a low-level language. Written in a high-level language.
Less interactive for the users. More interactive for the users.
System software plays vital role for the effective Application software is not so important for the
functioning of a system. functioning of the system, as it is task specific.
It is independent of the application software to run. It needs system software to run.

Software and Its Type – FAQs
1. What is difference between a software and a program?
2. What is an example of Software?
3. Which software is used to control the operations of a

computer?
4. Which software is designed to solve a specific problem or to

do a specific task

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Software and its

 In a computer system, the software is basically a set of instructions or

 It is a collection of data that is given to the computer to complete a particular

 System software is software that directly operates the

 Operating System: It is the main program of a computer system. When the

 Let us discuss some of the features of System Software:

 Software that performs special functions or provides functions that

 There are different types of application software and those are:

System Software Application Software

It is designed to manage the resources of the

Written in a low-level language. Written in a high-level language.

It is independent of the application software to run. It needs system software to run.

1. What is difference between a software and a program?

2. What is an example of Software?

3. Which software is used to control the operations of a

4. Which software is designed to solve a specific problem or to

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