What is software? - Tech Highland

What is software?

Software is a major type of computer software and it is also called the end-user program. This software is used to edit text, numbers and graphics and utilizes the capacities of a computer for the completion of a task. 

The application software includes spreadsheets, word processors and database programs etc.

Example of software

Manage student database, Payroll systems, Word Processor, Inventory Control,  Spreadsheet etc.

Types Of Software are

Word processing software

The main purpose of this software is to create text files or documents. MS-Word, Word Pad, Notepad and some other text editors are some of the examples of word processing software.

Spreadsheet software

The spreadsheet software is used to maintain the budget, financial statements, grade sheets and sales records. The purpose of this software is organizing numbers. It also allows the users to perform simple or complex calculations on the numbers (digits) entered in rows and columns. 

Lotus 1-2-3, MS-Excel and Open Office cal are few of the examples of spreadsheet application software.

Presentation software

This software will be used to display the information in the form of a slide show. The three main uses of presentation software are editing that allows insertion and formatting of text, a functionality of executing the slide shows and methods to include graphics in the text.
The best example of this type of application software is Microsoft PowerPoint.

Programming languages

Programming languages define the semantics and syntax of computer programs. For examples, many mature banking applications were written in the COBOL language, originally invented in 1959. Newer software is often written in more modern programming languages.

Internet Browsers

This software allows one to surf the Web. Application is made for internet surf. Often they have features to read email and create Web pages too.
Google Chrome, Opera Mini, Safari, UC browser, Netscape Navigator (or Netscape Communicator), MS Internet Explorer, AOL Browser etc are the examples of the Internet browser.

Email programs

These programs send and receive the email.

Database software

The database is a collection of data. The purpose of this software is to organize and manage data information. The benefit of this software is that you can change the way data is stored and displayed.

MS Access, dBase, Foxpro, Paradox, and Oracle are some of the examples of database software.

Graphics Programs (pixel-based) 

This software allows one to touch up pictures and create graphics from scratch. Photo editors are the main software comes into this category. Adobe Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, Apple Works, Ms Works, MS Paint (comes free on Windows PC's), painter.

Communication Software

This software allows two computers with modems to communicate through audio, video, and/pr chat-based means. MS NetMeeting, AOL Instant Messenger, IRC, ICQ.

Multimedia software

Media players and real players are examples of multimedia software. This software will allow the user to create videos and audio. The different forms of multimedia software are audio converters, video-audio players, burners, video encoders and decoders.