Understand Different Types of Software

Technology is part of everyday life but have you ever wondered how it works?

Behind the computers and mobile phones is the software that runs them. Computer code that communicates with hardware to make it function.

Modern coding focuses on the Internet. Websites and web apps are popular but are they the only types of software?

This article gives a beginner’s tutorial on the different types of software and how they relate to your business.

Read on to discover the difference between freeware and open source and system drivers. And how the right software developer can improve your bottom line.

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What is software?

Software is the collection of data, programs, procedures, routines and instructions that tell a computer or electronic device how to run, work and execute specific tasks. This is in contrast to hardware, which is the physical system and components that perform the work.

How does the software work?

How exactly does software work? Well, it is just another term for a computer programme and a programme is a set of instructions that tells the device how to perform.

Those instructions are written in code that the computer can understand.

At the core of all software is logic and the principle of input > process > output.

The programme needs information to work with i.e. the input. Think tapping a button on your phone. It then asks a series of questions based on a set of rules. For example, should the button print an invoice or cancel an order?

The output is what happens as a result. Your printer whirrs into life and the invoice pops out of the tray.

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Types of Software

Software can take the form of one line of code or, like Microsoft’s Windows operating system, span into millions.

Software also works with other software to join as a cohesive system. Your smartphone is a collection of thousands of software components designed to work together.

Code languages and styles vary in size and scope. The software used to work a modern microwave is very different from the code that runs an Apple Mac.

 

·        Application Software

·        System Software

·        Firmware

·        Programming Software

·        Driver Software

·        Freeware

·        Shareware

·        Open Source Software

·        Closed Source Software

·        Utility Software

Application Software

Application software is a software program or group of programs designed for end-users. There are many types of application software.

System Software

System software provides a platform for other software and includes the programs managing the computer itself, such as the computer’s operating system, file management utilities and disk operating system (or DOS). The system’s files consist of libraries of functions, system services, drivers for printers and other hardware, system preferences and other configuration files. The programs in system software encompass assemblers, compilers, file management tools, system utilities and debuggers.

Firmware

Firmware is software that’s stored on a computer’s motherboard or chipset.

Its job is to ensure the device works directly. When you switch on your laptop, the Basic Input Output System (BIOS) wakes everything up.

It checks the drive for errors then queries if the operating system is present. If so, it then turns control over to the likes of Windows 10.

Programming Software

How does software get developed? The answer is by using programming software.

Most code is written in English using a specific format or syntax. High-level programming languages are then converted into machine code. It then takes another type of software called a compiler to achieve this.

Programming software, also known as a programming tool or software development tool, is a program that assists software developers or programmers with creating, debugging and maintaining other programs and applications. Programming software is considered to be a subset of system software, although there is debate regarding this.

Driver Software

Driver software communicates with hardware and control devices and peripherals attached to a computer. It does this by gathering input from the OS (operating system) and giving instructions to the hardware to perform an action or other designated task.

Internal components like the hard drive and processor each require its own driver. If the wrong software’s installed the device won’t work correctly.

In older versions of Windows, device drivers became the bane of office life.

New peripherals like a printer required the correct driver. When the CD went missing it took forever to find the right driver software online.

Thankfully Windows and other operating systems install and manage drivers behind the scenes. The result is an optimised and working machine.

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