Software is a set of information’s that makes the computer perform tasks. In other words, software tells the computer what to do. Software consists of statements, which instruct a computer to perform the required task. Without software a computer is simply a mass of electronic components. Computer software is most commonly created by computer programmers using a programming language. The programmer writes commands in the programming language that are similar to what someone might use in everyday speech. These commands are called source code. Another computer program called a compiler is then used on the, source code, transforming the commands into a language that the computer can understand. The result is an executable computer program, which is another name for software.
- Systems Software: Systems software includes the programs that are dedicated to managing the computer itself, such as the operating system, file management utilities, and disk operating system (or DOS). The operating system manages the computer hardware resources in addition to applications and data. Without systems software installed in our computers we would have to type the instructions for everything we wanted the computer to do!
- Applications Software: Application software, or simply applications, are often called productivity programs or end-user programs because they enable the user to complete tasks such as creating documents, spreadsheets, databases, and publications, doing online research, sending email, designing graphics, running businesses, and even playing games
